Alaska Man Rescued from Beneath 700-Pound Boulder Thanks to Quick Thinking Wife

An Alaska man is fortunate to have survived being pinned face-down by a 700-pound boulder in a creek, following the quick actions of his wife who held his head above water to prevent drowning. This harrowing ordeal unfolded last Saturday as Kell Morris was hiking near Godwin Glacier, just outside of Seward, on a remote and undeveloped trail behind a state prison, according to Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites.

Emergency responders found the victim lying in the creek on his stomach, with the heavy boulder resting on him while his wife, Jo Roop, held his head above the water. The Seward Fire Department reported that Morris was suffering from hypothermia and oscillating in and out of consciousness.

The rescue operation required significant effort, employing air bags, ropes, and brute strength to lift the massive boulder off Morris. After he was freed, emergency crews worked quickly to re-warm him and stabilize his condition, resulting in improved alertness and vital signs.

Morris, 61, who endured nearly three hours trapped beneath the boulder, expressed his gratitude, stating he felt very lucky and believed divine intervention played a role in his survival.

Background on the Incident

Jo Roop, a retired Alaska State Trooper, and her husband moved to Seward about 120 miles south of Anchorage from Idaho last fall, after she accepted a position with the local police department. The couple was hiking on a rocky creek bed that was littered with large boulders left behind by the glacier.

Before the accident, Morris took notice of various dangerous boulders, some weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, which framed the creek. He did his best to navigate around them until encountering an area from which he could not escape.

In recounting the moment leading to his fall, Morris explained that he was returning when the entire side of the embankment collapsed beneath him. The sequence of events became a blur as he plummeted approximately 20 feet, landing face down in the rapidly flowing water.

Simultaneously, a boulder struck his back in what Crites described as akin to an avalanche of rocks.

Tremendous Pain and Desperation

Once trapped, Morris felt an excruciating pain in his left leg and braced himself for the potential snapping of his femur. At that moment, doubt crept in, forcing him to grapple with the fear of an unfavorable outcome.

Jo Roop desperately attempted to free her husband for about 30 minutes. She used rocks to try and push the boulder off him before making the critical decision to leave in search of a cell signal to call for emergency assistance. Drawing on her law enforcement background, she provided dispatch with precise GPS coordinates to facilitate quicker rescue efforts.

Efficient Response from Emergency Services

The situation took a positive turn when a volunteer from the nearby Bear Creek Fire Department, who also worked for Seward Helicopter Tours, heard the emergency call. He and a pilot quickly volunteered to help, navigating a helicopter to the remote scene and transporting six firefighters directly to the patient, significantly reducing travel time.

Due to the treacherous landscape, the helicopter could not land safely, forcing firefighters to jump from the hovering aircraft to reach Morris.

Once on-site, the Seward Fire Department reported that Morris was airlifted to a local hospital and is now expected to make a full recovery. The department emphasized that without the rapid response from Seward Helicopter Tours, the outcome could have been tragically different.

The Power of Teamwork

The firefighters employed specialized air bags that are usually reserved for vehicular extrications to give just enough lift to the boulder during the extraction process. Crites noted that the operation transformed into a collective effort where all hands were on deck for a coordinated push.

The teamwork and determination of the rescuers culminated in seven firefighters successfully lifting the boulder to pull Morris to safety.

This incident underscores the unpredictability of the great outdoors and the importance of preparedness and quick response in emergency situations. Though hiking presents inherent risks, the actions of Morris’ wife and the swift response of local emergency services made a life-saving difference.

Final Thoughts on Survival and Resilience

Survivor stories like Morris’s not only inspire admiration for the human spirit but also serve as a reminder of the critical nature of safety measures during outdoor activities. As more individuals venture into remote areas for hiking and camping, understanding the risks and being prepared to face emergencies is essential.

Even in dire circumstances, quick decisions, resourceful thinking, and effective teamwork can lead to miraculous outcomes, turning potentially tragic events into stories of survival and resilience.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.