Teton County Search and Rescue Helicopter crashes
2 separate fatalities, one from helicopter crash, one from snowmobile accident
by Teton County Sheriff’s office
February 15, 2012
(Update 9:41PM, 2/15/12): 2 separate fatalities, one from helicopter crash, one from snowmobile accident
The following is being released regarding the events associated with the helicopter crash on Togwotee Mountain, 6.7 miles south of Togwotee Mountain Lodge.
Teton County Dispatch received a call at 11:48a.m. reporting a snowmobile accident on Togwotee Mountain.
Teton County Search and Rescue responded with a helicopter at 12:24p.m. crewed by a pilot and two Search and Rescue members. The helicopter landed at the accident scene, confirmed the condition of the victim and left the scene with plans to return with additional personnel. The snowmobile party, comprised of the victim’s family and friends, remained on the scene.
Upon departure from the scene, the helicopter proceeded south when it appeared to experience difficulty, and then went over a ridge, disappearing out of sight. The snowmobile party contacted Teton County Dispatch to notify them of the situation. Radio contact with the helicopter was lost for approximately 45 minutes. During this time Teton County Search and Rescue began assembling a team to provide a ground response. When radio contact was reestablished, the helicopter crew confirmed that they had crash landed.
Multiple agencies responded to identify the location of the downed aircraft and to assist in the rescue operation.
As a result of the crash, Search and Rescue member Ray Shriver, age 63, was killed. The helicopter pilot and the second Search and Rescue member were transported to St John’s Medical Center for treatment.
Once all helicopter victims were evacuated from the scene, deputies moved to the scene of the initial incident which had resulted in the death of 53-year old Steven Anderson of Morris, Minnesota.
The causes of both crashes are under investigation.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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Jackson, Wyoming, Update 8:09PM, 2/15/12:
The Teton County Coroner has reported that there was a fatality of a Search and Rescue member who was aboard the helicopter that crashed while responding to a snowmobile incident on Togwotee Mountain earlier today (Wednesday, February 15, 2012). The name of the victim is currently being withheld pending notification of family members. The other two victims have been transported to Jackson.
Law enforcement and rescue crews are still on scene in the Togwotee pass area, approximately an hour from the Town of Jackson. Due to the remote location, information and details regarding the incident are slow to become available for release. Crews will be returning from the scene tonight.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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Jackson, Wyoming, 2/15/12, 6:49PM - Teton County Sheriff’s office reports the crash landing of its contracted Search and Rescue helicopter earlier today (Wednesday, Feb. 15 2012).
The helicopter, with two Search and Rescue members and pilot, was responding to an incident on Togwotee Mountain involving a snowmobile. Upon departure from the scene, the helicopter proceeded south when it appeared to experience difficulty, and then went over a ridge, disappearing from the line of sight of the snowmobile party. The snowmobile party contacted Teton County Dispatch to notify them of the situation. Radio contact with the helicopter was lost for approximately 45 minutes. During this time Teton County Search and Rescue began assembling a team to provide a ground response. When radio contact was reestablished, the helicopter crew confirmed that they had crash landed. The crash scene is located 6.7 miles south of Togwotee Mountain Lodge.
The crew notified Dispatch that all three members on board had sustained injuries. At 3:15p.m. a Civil Air Patrol plane located the crash scene.
A unified response is underway with crews from Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Teton County Search and Rescue and Grand Teton National Park. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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