03/15/2026
SVSAR update
The first two months of 2026 has been busy with a total of 9 calls dispatched to our SAR unit.
Our first call involved a snowmobile accident at the Tri-Basin Divide.
Unfortunately, this resulted in a fatality. The unit responded and transported the victim to the Smiths' Fork trail head.+
Our second call was after nightfall for two lost snowmobilers who had become stranded in the Hobble Creek area after using all their fuel trying to get out of their dire situation. After locating them in the dark, SAR members supplied fuel and assistance getting them out of the area safely.
Our third call involved SVSAR members and Life Flight responding to the LaBarge Creek area at the Tri-Basin Divide. The call was for a snowmobiler who had become the victim of an avalanche. Unfortunately, despite heroic attempts from his fellow rider locating him and performing CPR for a long period of time the victim passed away. SAR members provided transport of the victim and his fellow partner to the Smith's Fork trailhead.
Call number 4 was SVSAR members being dispatched and responding to an airplane accident north of Alpine on the frozen ice on the mud flats. SVEMS was also dispatched and cared for the pilot.
Call number five was a call-out for an individual with a broken leg in the Deadman Peak area. SAR members assisted with patient stabilization and coordinated with LifeFlight to land and transfer the individual via helicopter.
The sixth call was the result of a snowmobile accident up Smith's Fork. An individual sustained a broken leg while snowmobiling. Joint effort with EMS stabilized the individual and transported them to the trailhead.
Call number seven was for an individual riding in the Squaw Creek area who had a life threatening accident which resulted in 2 broken legs. The individual was stabilized and transported to an area where Life Flight could land safely. Joint effort of SVSAR and Life Flight was crucial to getting this individual to a trauma center.
Of note, Life Flight landed approximately 1/2 mile from the accident scene and SAR members transported the crew and their equipment to the accident scene. After caring for the injured individual, SAR transported the crew and the patient back to the helicopter.
Joint effort of SVSAR and SVEMS during a night call assisted the eighth individual with a shoulder injury in the Meadows Creek area up Greys River. The individual was stabilized and transported to Alpine.
The ninth call proved to be a long day and night for the SAR crew members. Six snowmobilers were stranded in the Roosevelt Meadow's area at the head of Little Greys River. Difficult terrain and night rescue operations were successful in locating the six stranded riders and providing fuel and assistance to getting them out safely. One rider had mild hypothermia and another had an injured ankle.
SVSAR would like to remind all back country users to let family and or friends know where they will be recreating and to carry appropriate clothing and equipment. Always be prepared in case you have to spend the night out in Wyoming weather conditions.
SVSAR would like to thank SVEMS, Life Flight, and the LCSO for their assistance in the coordination of locating and rescuing injured/lost individuals and transporting them to appopriate facilities.
