Boy Scout troops help save life of injured bicyclist

Published 9:58 am Monday, July 20, 2009

Putting their training to the ultimate test, these Boy Scouts became quick-thinking saviors.

Local troops 835, 501 and 570 pulled together last week to help a woman who was seriously hurt after she had fallen off her bicycle in the woods near Crystal Mountain.

The three Boy Scout troops actually were on their third day of emergency preparedness training when the boyfriend of the injured cyclist ran out of the woods, pleading for help.

“While we were teaching them to respond to emergencies, a man runs into our camp and yells, ‘Help, help, she has a head wound,’ ” said Dr. Jim Brass, Scoutmaster for Pacific-Algona’s Scout Troop 835. “(He) turns and runs back toward the woods. The boys all grabbed various equipment and followed him about a half-mile away and up a trail where they found his girlfriend, who had come down the trail on a bike and hit a stump, flipped and landed on rocks.”

According to authorities, the woman in her 40s had suffered a subdural hematoma, fractured ribs, punctured lung and a fractured chin in the mishap last Thursday. Cut on her head, she was in shock.

The scouts were first on the scene to give her aid. Paramedics soon arrived, but the scouts continued to help.

When the first EMT arrived, the Boy Scouts met and guided him to the woman. When the next paramedic arrived, the scouts assembled a stretcher and carried it in. They also helped the medical team by transporting equipment.

After paramedics stabilized the woman, she was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, where she reportedly is recovering.

According to Brass, the boyfriend of the injured woman sent a message, saying the quick actions of the three troops saved her life.

“It was good to be there at just the right time to make a difference,” Brass said. “The boys from all three troops worked together as one and did a great job. Between them, they had all the right things needed as first-responders to have possibly saved her life.

“I couldn’t be any prouder. The kids are awesome. They’re just great.”