Runner crawls for 8 hours in sub-zero temperature after hurting ankle in US national park

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, February 24

Displaying grit and determination to stay alive, a runner in United States crawled for nearly eight hours to find help after breaking his ankle in a national park in Washington, authorities said.

The Jefferson County Search and Rescue, a group of volunteers monitored by County sheriff’s office, posted the dramatic details of the runner on his Facebook page. “Carrying a charged cell phone and displaying incredible grit and determination to self-rescue likely prevented more serious injury in this case,” said the Facebook page.

As per details on Friday last week around 5 am, the runner was injured on the Duckabush River Trail in the Olympic National Park, Washington. About 10 miles from the trailhead the runner could not call as his cell phone did not have a signal to call for help.

“Temperatures were below freezing, and he was wearing only light running clothes as he crawled for several miles. At 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, he realized his phone had a signal because he received a text message. He called 911 and kept crawling, the post informed.

A crew from the Brinnon Fire Department along with Jefferson Search and Rescue volunteers responded and started up the trail to find the injured runner. The runner was located by his voice five to six miles from the spot where he was injured, added the post. Fire department EMT’s treated him for a broken ankle and exposure to the cold.

The runner was then flown to a medical center in Seattle.