A Colorado search and rescue (SAR) organization took to Facebook to call out an injured BASE jumper for activating a Garmin SOS call for help and then turning the help down after it arrived at his remote location. The post details all the resources deployed to help the man, who, according to the sheriff, demonstrated a “lack of respect” for SAR professionals and resources.
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San Miguel County Sheriff – Colorado explained the situation in a Facebook post, saying: “At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Monday, July 6, deputies and San Miguel County Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel responded to a Garmin SOS activation from an injured individual in the Columbine Basin, approximately six miles south-southeast above Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride. The 31-year-old Grand Junction, Colorado, man reported via the SOS message that he fell 150 to 200 feet and believed he broke his leg, couldn’t walk and needed assistance.”
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Approximately 20 SAR personnel and deputies descended on the area, some of them hiking 1.5 miles carrying a litter and other equipment. A helicopter was also deployed. When the teams arrived, they found the man walking around.
“The San Miguel County SAR ground team was first on scene and found the man walking around. He then told rescuers that he was BASE jumping off a cliff when his chute failed to deploy, and he sustained his injury when he fell 150 to 200 feet to the ground,” the post reads. “[. . .] Despite the recommendations of rescuers, the man declined helicopter transport and stated that he no longer wanted Search and Rescue assistance. He then descended on foot under the observation of San Juan County SAR personnel with a friend who had hiked up to meet him following the incident.”
‘A Profound Lack of Respect’
The same man previously required “extensive” SAR resources and assistance after injuring himself in a BASE jumping accident about 10 years ago, according to San Miguel County SAR.
Sheriff Dan Covault said: “Our SAR team consists of skilled professionals who risk their own lives to help others in need. This individual chose to participate in an extremely dangerous activity alone, and particularly given his prior rescue history, his actions demonstrated a disregard for the risks involved and the resources required to rescue him. His decisions unnecessarily diverted emergency resources, including a Care Flight helicopter, that may have been needed for other emergencies. The fact that he was able to hike back down shows a profound lack of respect for the tremendous effort and resources devoted to this rescue.”
See the full post about the injured BASE jumper who activated an SOS then rejected help at great cost below.
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