Strangers step up to help land Life Flight
(Courtesy Photo) First responder teams arrived to assist with an injured lady on Roman Nose.
Courtesy photo Various people assisted in clearing a spot near Roman Nose for Life Flight to land on Sunday.
(Courtesy Photo) Some trees and bushes needed to be cleared for the helicopter, many people assisted.
BONNERS FERRY — When there is a need, the people in Boundary Country prove time and time again that they are ready and willing to step up and lend a hand. Last Sunday, Aug. 18, six people dropped everything to help Life Flight land at Roman Nose to rescue a woman who had fallen and was injured.
The call came out early in the afternoon about the injured woman. The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Bonners Ferry Police Department, Idaho State Police, Boundary Ambulance, and South Boundary Fire all responded to the scene, via a long, steep climb on dirt roads.
First on scene was Bonners Ferry Police Sergeant Willie Cowell. Boundary County Sheriff’s Corporal Michael Valenzuela and Idaho State Police Trooper Dustin Kralik were close behind.
Upon arriving on the scene, they realized that it would be too far for the injured woman to travel back on the roads, and they called for Life Flight. What they needed next was a place to safely land the helicopter.
“We were thinking that by the time medical gets here, and then they would have to drive all the way down that rough road, and she is in pain,” said Valenzuela. “We decided that we are going to have Life Flight come in. As soon as we did that, Dusty starts coordinating.”
They quickly realized that trees needed to be taken down.
“Me and Willie were chopping down trees with the axes,” explained Valenzuela. “Out of the parking lot, all of these random people started coming out.”
Immediately, the people wanted to know what they could do to help.
“I think it is totally cool that they had no idea what was going on and they said they would help,” said Valenzuela.
Then there was an offer of a chainsaw.
“We told him that we needed that tree, that tree, and that tree, and he just started hacking them down,” said Valenzuela. “We designating trees and they would fell them and drag them away.”
Valenzuela would later get the names of his mystery helpers; Jacob Hoss, Alexander Jones, Matthew Stassinos, Jeremy Sand, Lance Hammonds, and Brian Bennett.
“I am super happy that those guys were there. I really want to extend a thanks to them,” said Valenzuela. “They were willing to do everything. Even when the bird landed, their big concern was if they needed help moving her across the parking lot. I am super appreciative and I think it is cool that they hung out as long as they did, willing to help.”
Between the different agencies, and the kindness of strangers, the injured woman was safely loaded into Life Flight.
“Everyone worked flawlessly together. It was great. There was a lot of good communication,” said Valenzuela. “ I appreciate all the agencies working so well together and how seamless it was.”
“It’s great being in a community where everyone is so willing to help each other out,” he said. “This group was willing to help out a complete stranger and do whatever it took to help her out to get her medical attention that she needed.”