Jackson, Wyo. — At 7:29 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, Teton County Search & Rescue received an emergency alert for an injured horseback rider deep in the Teton Wilderness. The patient, a 67-year-old female from Lander, had sustained multiple injuries after getting bucked off her horse the day before, on Wednesday. Her party had contacted dispatch that afternoon as an information-only notification.

On Thursday morning, the members of her party called back to say it was clear that the woman, along with her dog, would need assistance getting out of the backcountry.

Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers did a heli evac for an injured horse rider on August 13 in the Teton Wilderness. Photo: Teton County Search & Rescue

In response, TCSAR assembled a helicopter team consisting of the pilot and three volunteers. The team covered the distance from SAR HQ in Jackson to the scene in about 23 minutes. The helicopter found a flat landing zone near the patient, and the volunteers were able to help her and the dog into the helicopter for the flight back to Jackson. TCSAR then transferred the patient to a waiting ambulance from Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, completing the mission in approximately three hours.