JACKSON HOLE, WYO – A Jackson man was injured over the weekend after a fall in the Hidden Valley area of Joshua Tree National Park.
Personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a call of a fall victim on Saturday, March 25. When emergency crews arrived, they found Tom Hargis, 69, had fallen approximately 25 feet while rock climbing. Hargis came to rest on a rock ledge and was unable to move. Personnel determined Hargis would need to be hoist rescued due to his injuries. They requested Sheriff’s Air Rescue 07 respond to assist in the rescue.
Fire Department personnel had climbed up to Hargis and secured him to the ledge using a rescue basket. The crew hovered over Hargis and Flight Nurse Wai Li was lowered to the rock ledge. Hargis was secured to the hoist hook and hoisted into the helicopter, followed by Li. Hargis flown to a nearby waiting ambulance. Hargis had non-life threatening injuries and was transported by ground to a local hospital for treatment.
Hargis is a longtime member Exum Mountain Guides. He was climbing recreationally on his own time. His wife, Cyndi, told Buckrail that Tom was fine and is currently continuing his stay in the Joshua Tree area.
