UPDATED: Woman rescued from ravine above Cottonwood Falls Park dies from injuries
By Nelson Daily Staff
The BC Coroners Services has confirmed the woman rescued by Nelson Fire Rescue after falling into the ravine above Cottonwood Falls Park died from injuries suffered in the accident.
Media spokesperson Barbara McLintock confirmed to The Nelson Daily Monday the woman died in Kootenay Lake Hospital early Saturday morning.
McLintock said the BC Coroners Services continues to investigate the accident.
Nelson Fire execute rope rescue in ravine above Cottonwood Falls Park
A woman was transported to Kootenay Lake Hospital Friday night after falling into the ravine above Cottonwood Falls Park Nelson Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Mike Daloise said in a media release Saturday.
Daloise said Nelson Fire Rescue Services received a call at 8:08 p.m. that a person had fallen near Cottonwood Falls to which both on-duty members responded.
“Upon arrival of the first crew, it was determined that there were two individuals in the creek approximately 50 feet below the level of the road,” Daloise said.
“The female patient appeared to be seriously injured and removing her was going to be a high priority. The only way to access the couple was to rappel into the ravine on ropes and then remove the two patients one at a time.”
Daliose said the ladder truck was deployed and two fire department members, along with their needed gear, were lowered in the Cottonwood creek bed.
“The female patient was packaged onto a spine board and basket stretcher and was removed utilizing the ladder truck,” he explained.
“EHS (Emergency Health Services) then transported her to Kootenay Lake Hospital with serious injuries.”
Daloise said the removal of the male patient was accomplished using a harness instead of the spine board and stretcher as his injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening.
“As challenging as the location was to access, rescue crews were fortunate that water levels were as low as they are at this time of year,” Daloise said.
“Increased water flow would have increased the complexity of the rescue and required additional resources.
Daloise said Nelson Police Department has taken over the investigation.
“What caused the couple to have fallen into this location is unknown at this time,” he said.
This rescue operation was a joint effort among Nelson Fire Rescue, BCAS, NPD, RCMP, Kootenay Lake Hospital emergency room staff and City of Nelson Public Works.
Daloise said Nelson Fire Rescue responded to the incident with two fire engines, one ladder truck and two utility vehicles. There were no responder injuries reported as a result of this incident.
Nelson Fire Rescue Services would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to use caution when there is a potential to fall from heights.
