The Durango Herald reports that a passenger on a northbound train spotted a woman waving frantically from the opposite bank of the Animas River about five miles south of Silverton. The passenger notified the crew, which in turn radioed the track car that was following the train.
The hiker told track inspector Delton Henry that she had a broken leg and could not move. Henry called 911, and learned she had been reported missing on Sunday.
The engineer and fireman aboard the next train happened to be husband-and-wife team Nick and Kylah Breeden. Kylah is a paramedic with the Durango Fire Department. The pair waded across the river to reach the hiker, who ultimately was airlifted to an area hospital.
“The mountains can be a dangerous place, but there are those who are ready to rise to the occasion,” the railroad said in a Facebook post. “This past Monday morning, just outside Silverton a passenger aboard the train spotted an injured hiker lying on the far bank of the Animas River. Members of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train crew, including Nick Breeden, Kylah Breeden, and Delton Henry worked alongside emergency personnel from the San Juan County Search and Rescue to help this injured woman who had been out in the elements … with a broken leg. We are very proud of everyone involved for helping to aid the woman and we wish her all the best in her recovery.”
A nice ending. At least years ago CSX freight trains occasionally rescued injured rafters from the New River gorge in W. Va. Some 30 years ago I witnessed a caboose to ambulance transfer at the Thurmond grade crossing. A rafter had injured herself while “swimming” in one of the River’s calm pools. How the raft party leader signaled the train crew I don’t know.
Well Done !
Having been through that area on the D&S, I would recommend that anyone hiking it have a friend with them or at least one of the emergency devices that hikers now have available.
wow you don’t see that happening everyday on the railroads and a smart move for the durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad
ALL RIGHT! RR TEAM WORK!
I know she would like to thank all the people involved in getting her to safety. But it would also b nice to give her a one day pass so she could see the beautiful scenery without having to hike the (as you say) those difficult mountains trails.
A one day pass would be nice to give her. However, there are those of us who get great enjoyment and satisfaction out of hiking those difficult mountain trails. I’m sure she is one. I’m just surprised she doesn’t carry a Garmin Inreach or other similar device.
What a neat and happy endimg story. Thanks to all involved with this happy ending story.