PRESS RELEASE

South Plateau Trail Rescue

On Wednesday February 23, 2022 at 4:05 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Plateau Trail, 4 miles south of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering a leg and arm injury.

SAR Volunteers and a paramedic from the Hebgen Basin Fire Department responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and was then transported to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the trails and backcountry that trail conditions can change rapidly.  Please ride to your ability and only travel the posted speed limits on the trail.  Also recreate with a friend and carry a reliable means of communication.  Rescuers were able to quickly respond to this incident because a friend called immediately and provided accurate GPS coordinates.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.