Alaska man survives 3 hours pinned face down under a 317kg boulder
Kell Morris does not remember exactly how he started tumbling or how he ended up on his stomach, but he remembers when a 317.5kg boulder hit his back – the jolt of pain it caused as it pinned him down, and how instantly he knew he was in trouble.
Mr Morris, 61, said it was a 'beautiful, beautiful day' on May 24 in Seward, Alaska, where he lives with his wife, Joanna Roop. The pair decided to hike near a remote glacier more than 190km south of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city.
They had been looking for a spot to cross a creek when the earth holding a group of boulders gave way. Mr Morris said he tried to almost surf the sliding gravel but lost his footing and tumbled down.
'The next thing I know, I'm face down in the creek and you can still hear these rocks,' he said.
Ms Roop, 61, also heard that distinctive sound.
She ran to the area of the slide, calling for her husband but there was no answer.
When she saw him, Ms Roop said, it felt like the situation went from 'worse to worse'.
Trapped under the massive boulder, Mr Morris was just about holding himself out of the cold glacier water that feeds the creek.
'We kind of assessed that I'm not going to last long in this cold water,' Mr Morris said, and he sent his wife with both their cellphones off in search of a signal. After walking around 270 metres, Ms Roop connected to a 911 dispatcher.
Rescue crews from several agencies, including the Seward Fire Department and the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, mobilised.
But the extreme terrain of the area meant progress was slow. Then, a Bear Creek volunteer who works for Seward Helicopter Tours heard the 911 dispatch call.
The volunteer and a pilot offered to pick up six firefighters and take them to where Mr Morris was pinned.
Rescuers found Mr Morris suffering from hypothermia and wavering in and out of consciousness, face down in a creek with the boulder on his back, and Ms Roop holding his head out of the water, the Seward Fire Department said in a news release.
Rescue crews used air bags, ropes and 'brute force' to free him, the department said. After he was warmed up, Mr Morris 'became more alert, and his vitals improved,' the department said. NYTIMES
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Espionage on show: A sneak peek into the new vault at Washington's International Spy Museum
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The museum, which opened in the Penn Quarter neighbourhood of Washington in 2002, moved to a bigger space in L'Enfant Plaza in 2019. WASHINGTON – To get into the International Spy Museum's new fourth-floor vault, you bore a hole in the ceiling, lower yourself using a rope and put a guard to sleep with a drug-tipped dart after taking down the surveillance camera with just two keystrokes. Okay, they just let you in. The museum, which opened in the Penn Quarter neighbourhood of Washington in 2002 and moved to a bigger space in L'Enfant Plaza in 2019, has more than 10,000 objects in its collection, including statues, pens, disguises, listening devices and books used all over the world in the service of professional espionage. Suitcases and radios in the vault of the International Spy Museum in Washington. As with most museums, a vast majority of the objects in its collection are not on display. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES As with most museums, a vast majority of those objects are not on display. And until a few weeks ago, they were far away, stored at a location outside the capital – making it a challenge for museum historians to reach the objects for study and preservation. In 2020, the museum began consolidating its collection in its new building, a project that it completed in 2025. Many of the artefacts in the vault came from one man: Mr H. Keith Melton, a founding board member of the museum, who became one of the world's renowned spy collectors. He is not a former intelligence agent himself. Rather, he made his money as one of the country's largest McDonald's franchise owners. A condition of his donation, which he first pledged in 2016, was that the collection would eventually be moved to the museum itself, said Mr Melton. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SAF regular serviceman dies after being found unconscious at Hendon Camp swimming pool: Mindef Singapore Police search operation spotted in forested area near Greenleaf Place in Bukit Timah Asia 2 Malaysian tourists critically injured after being set on fire in Bangkok Asia Train derails in Thailand, multiple injuries reported World Trump says he will meet Putin on Aug 15 in Alaska Singapore He studied architecture to chase childhood dream of designing an NDP stage Life The crypto bros are back: 'The hubris never really left' Asia 'Very nerdy' hobby of doujinshi self-publishing is a growing billion-dollar market in Japan 'To properly care for, maintain, catalogue, access the artefacts, they needed to be on the premises,' he said in an interview. 'You can't deal with it remotely. Artefacts need care and feeding and vigilance, and they need to make sure they're not deteriorating.' The collections team at the International Spy Museum recently opened the doors to its den of secrets, offering a reporter and photographer a look at tools of the trade that, like much of spycraft itself, are kept out of public view. There are roughly 4,000 books in the vault, most of them donated by Mr Melton. Per Ardua Libertas, a World War II-era briefing book created by MI9, a wartime branch of British intelligence. The book is among the most treasured in the museum's collection. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES The most treasured of these is a World War II-era briefing book created by MI9, a wartime branch of British intelligence, to get Americans up to speed on its top secret espionage innovations. It includes designs for cameras disguised as cigarette lighters, coat buttons and gold teeth concealing compasses, and maps printed on clothing. Ms Laura Hicken, the museum's collections manager, estimated that there were fewer than 20 copies of this book in the world. Among the museum's newest acquisitions are original courtroom sketches by William Sharp, an illustrator who died in 1961. Illustrator William Sharp's courtroom sketches of the trial of Rudolf Abel, a Soviet spy shown standing at right. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES One is of Rudolf Abel, the Soviet spy who operated undercover in the United States for almost a decade and who was portrayed by English actor Mark Rylance in the 2015 Steven Spielberg thriller Bridge Of Spies. In the drawings, Sharp portrayed Abel as looking stressed. 'For us, where so much of our history is told through gadgets and weapons and concealment devices, this is so incredibly personal and such an intimate look into the consequences of the things we cover,' Ms Hicken said, referring to the sketch. A mini-motorcycle that British spies could unfold in seconds after parachuting behind German lines during World War II. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES The museum, which is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest espionage museum, has come under criticism in the past for sanitising the unethical behaviour of spy agencies. Another set of Sharp-penned sketches is from the trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, who were arrested in 1950 for espionage and executed in 1953. The drawings feature Judge Irving R. Kaufman, who sentenced them to death, and an unguarded Ethel Rosenberg, whose culpability has come under doubt in the last decade. The museum has also received gifts and loans from international governments. A code sheet and a pen capable of injecting a paralysing agent are among the items on loan from the South Korean government, which said they were seized from a North Korean spy. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES The South Korean government, for example, lent items said to have been seized from a North Korean spy who crossed into the south. Among these is a pen that, when clicked a certain way, would have been capable of injecting a paralysing agent into an unsuspecting victim, as well as a code sheet that spies could use to communicate with someone equipped with a counter code sheet. The German government lent an army propaganda rocket from the early 1940s. These were launched over Russian soldiers on the battlefield, where they would eject pamphlets encouraging them to abandon Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. A World War II-era German propaganda rocket containing leaflets encouraging Russian soldiers to abandon Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES According to a translation, the pamphlets inside the rocket say: 'Red Army men! You will not experience peace, you will not return to your home. Stalin will not allow this because he knows that any Red Army soldier who has been in Europe will pose a threat to the Stalinist system.' A couch that once belonged to Robert P. Hanssen, a former FBI agent who spied for Moscow during and after the Cold War, sits atop a shelf. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES Sitting on top of a large shelf is a couch that belonged to Robert P. Hanssen, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who spied for Moscow off and on for decades. Hanssen died in 2023 in his Colorado prison cell. Mr Melton also persuaded Hanssen's family to donate other items, including a suit and watches. A short, heavy fighting knife called a smatchet that was used during World War II by British and American forces. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES The museum has no shortage of knives, some of which are hidden in spatulas and boots. But there are less subtle blades, including one developed by the Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) , to be a combat weapon. 'There are a lot of challenging elements to our collection because so much of it was meant to kill or destroy or distract,' Ms Hicken said. 'We have powders that were meant to be tipped into gas tanks that would essentially erode the gas tank very quickly, so you could disable somebody's vehicle.' A display delves into the history of Tony Mendez, the CIA officer known for orchestrating the rescue of American diplomats from Iran in 1980. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES Also in the vault are several items that once belonged to Tony Mendez, the celebrated CIA officer who was played by American actor Ben Affleck in the 2012 Academy Award-winning movie Argo. Mendez was particularly known for disguises, exfiltration and forgery. Disguises in the vault of the International Spy Museum. Many of the artefacts in the vault came from one man: H. Keith Melton, a founding board member of the museum, who became one of the world's renowned spy collectors. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES One drawer in the vault includes wigs he designed and a pair of shoes with lifts inside to make the wearer appear significantly taller. In addition, there is a self-portrait of Mendez, a former board member of the museum, depicting several aspects of the Argo story, which involved his plan to rescue American diplomats trapped in Iran in 1980. Ms Laura Hicken is the collections manager at the International Spy Museum. PHOTO: ALYSSA SCHUKAR/NYTIMES 'Everything in our collection is two things,' Ms Hicken said. 'The purse actually conceals a camera. The pen conceals a microdot viewer. The shoe has a knife in it.' NYTIMES
New Paper
28-07-2025
- New Paper
Why some Singaporeans chase the perfect bird shot
Shahrul Kamal, 50, once spent six hours waiting for a kingfisher to dive, in order to capture the perfect action shot. It was physically exhausting, Mr Shahrul told The New Paper, but it was all worth it. "But when you finally get that moment, when it touches the water, the feeling is great. You feel like you've achieved something." And when a rare Ernesti Peregrine Falcon was spotted on an HDB rooftop in Jalan Kukoh earlier this year, the senior technical executive, who has been birding for six years, took leave from work just to try and catch a glimpse of Singapore's rarest breeding bird. Shahrul Kamal spent six hours waiting for the perfect shot of a kingfisher PHOTO: SHAHRUL KAMAL Birding in Singapore took off in a big way during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a surge of new hobbyists armed with telephoto lenses, binoculars, and smartphones. Some go alone. Others camp out for hours in groups, chatting, eating, and comparing gear while they wait for that one decisive shot. They can often be seen waiting patiently beneath trees, cameras in hand and eyes scanning the canopy, waiting for the perfect moment when a flash of feathers appears. Birds of a feather Singapore's birding community continues to grow, bringing together a wide mix of personalities - from competitive photographers to quiet observers, retirees to teenagers, conservationists to casual hobbyists. Singapore's birding community congregates in several active groups, both online and on the ground. Nature Society Singapore, with around 1,000 members, organises regular guided walks and conservation activities through its dedicated Bird Group. On Facebook, the Singapore Wildlife Sightings group has become a hot spot for casual and serious birders alike, growing to over 134,000 members since the pandemic. Telegram group chats have also become an essential tool for local birders, offering real-time alerts on bird sightings and locations. When a rare species appears, word spreads quickly through these channels, allowing enthusiasts to rush down with their gear in hopes of catching a glimpse. When someone posts about a rare sighting in a forum or chat group, the response is often swift and enthusiastic. Comments range from excited exclamations like "Chiong ah!" to practical questions such as "Still there?" or "What time was the sighting?" Others express near-misses with comments like "Aiyah, so close yet so far. I was there earlier in the afternoon but didn't see it." Some users offer directions, while others post follow-up photos or updates from the scene. Relief teacher Sheryl Khor, 46, said that if a bird she has not seen before is spotted, she will rush down to try and catch it, even if she is somewhere else at the time. "Even if I'm in the middle of something, I'll try my very best to get there… it's worth it," she said. The Ernesti peregrine falcon spotted at Jalan Kukoh has drawn the attention of many birders. PHOTO: SHAHRUL KAMAL Respect for wildlife comes first But birders that The New Paper spoke to agree: respect for wildlife comes first. There are unspoken rules: don't get too close, don't disturb birds while they're nesting, and sometimes, don't share their location. "Some people may not want to broadcast where a rare bird is, especially if it's with chicks," said Mr Shahrul. "It's not selfishness. It's for the bird's own good." For Lim Kim Seng, 64, birding is a lifelong passion. The semi-retired nature guide has been watching birds since he was a child growing up on a kampung farm. "Why would anyone not do birding?" he said with a laugh. "It's a form of exercise. I like the fresh air and being in touch with nature. Whenever I return from a session, I feel much better than before." "Although I've been birding for more than 50 years, I still discover new things about nature, and about myself." Unlike some who chase the perfect shot, Mr Lim prefers to observe birds through binoculars. "For me, capturing an image is good enough. It doesn't have to be picture perfect." 'Like making a new friend' Ms Khor is a self-proclaimed "by-the-way birder". With kids, elderly parents and work, she squeezes birding into her schedule whenever she can. "I've never sat there for six hours. I don't have that kind of time," she said with a laugh. "Some people think birders are crazy, but most of us have lives." Ms Khor grew up following her father on nature walks and rediscovered birding during the pandemic, when high-quality camera gear became more accessible. "Every time I see a new bird, it's an unforgettable moment akin to making a new friend." The mother of two recalled several mornings spent trekking to a remote part of Pasir Ris in hopes of spotting a black-capped kingfisher, only for it to never appear. Not long after, the area was cleared for development. "That was one of the saddest attempts," she said. "But sometimes it's not about the shot. Just being in nature is enough." A new generation takes flight Contrary to the stereotype of birding as an older person's pastime, younger Singaporeans are increasingly taking wing. The Bird Society of Singapore is currently led by an 11-member council, with a majority of its members in their 20s and 30s. Young enthusiasts explore nature through their lenses, proving birding is no longer just for older generations. PHOTO: ST FILE Ms Khor has seen the shift firsthand: "A lot of the conservationists and people heading societies, like the Bird Society of Singapore, are quite young. "And I've seen teenagers, 13, 14 years old, who are really sharp, amazing photographers, and already winning competitions." What sets them apart, she added, is their mindset. "They're great photographers, but more importantly, they have a stronger sense of conservation and that's something I really support." Ms Khor hopes that as more people pick up the hobby, awareness about conservation will grow too. "It's not just about rare or beautiful birds," she said. "Even the common or 'ugly' ones deserve protection."
Straits Times
26-07-2025
- Straits Times
Almost 8 in 10 adults read at least one book in past year: NLB reading survey
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Despite the growing popularity of digital content, physical books remain the most widely read format. SINGAPORE – Reading habits in Singapore remain positive, with nine in 10 teenagers and almost eight in 10 adults reading at least one book in the past year, according to the latest National Reading Habits Study (NRHS). Conducted every three years by the National Library Board (NLB), the 2024 study also found habitual reading levels have reverted to pre-pandemic norms, with 81 per cent of teens and 89 per cent of adults reading multiple times a week. Reading materials include books, news articles and online content, and exclude textbooks and communications such as e-mails, WhatsApp and Telegram messages. NLB said that the unprecedentedly high levels of reading seen in the 2021 NRHS were likely bolstered by lifestyle changes during the pandemic. Additionally, it was conducted primarily online due to Covid-19 restrictions, unlike the usual door-to-door interviews. The difference in survey methodology is known to significantly skew the results, making direct comparisons inaccurate. Despite the growing popularity of digital content, physical books remain the most widely read format. Among teens, 83 per cent read physical books, compared with 54 per cent who read e-books and 8 per cent who listened to audiobooks. Similarly, 75 per cent of adults read physical books, while 55 per cent used e-books and 14 per cent listened to audiobooks. While almost two in three library loans are physical items, NLB said there has been a shift towards digital formats among older adults. Physical bookstores were the top choice to obtain books, with 62 per cent of teens and 54 per cent of adults purchasing books there. Libraries followed closely, especially among 58 per cent of teens, with 44 per cent borrowing books from NLB. Seniors are also increasingly turning to digital platforms, with 35 per cent of readers aged above 60 now using e-books. While the study showed strong agreement on the benefits of reading, such as broadening world views and improving critical thinking, reading for pleasure did not fare as well. Although 70 per cent in both groups said they found reading enjoyable, only 56 per cent of teens and 66 per cent of adults found it relaxing. Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee from the National Institute of Education said that this is not unexpected as time is an issue for Singaporeans, who are busy. She told The Straits Times that more can be done to encourage Singaporeans to read more regularly, especially youth. 'Investment in school libraries from kindergarten, with attractive and relevant physical collections – this helps to bring books closer to children and teens, to encourage them to find interesting books to read.' She added that secondary schools can introduce the NLB app to students on their personal learning devices and give them time to read on it during school. 'This is to allow them to become familiar with using it to source for and read books.' The 2024 study involved a total of 4,623 residents, consisting of 3,725 adults over 20 years old and 898 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. NLB chief executive Ng Cher Pong said the findings are a testament to Singaporeans' enduring love for reading. 'Over the past 30 years, NLB has been constantly finding ways to better meet our patrons' needs and to promote the joy of reading. This includes bringing books closer to communities through mobile libraries and boosting our digital collections when the pandemic struck,' he said, adding that as NLB marks its 30th anniversary in 2025, it hopes to bring even more new reading and learning experiences to everyone. Emily Tan, 16, picked up a love for reading in secondary school. The first-year ITE student said she had to bring books to read during morning assembly and the school's reading periods, and that nurtured her love for books. 'At first, I started reading comics, but the school introduced us to Percy Jackson as part of the reading programme, and now I'm hooked on Greek mythology,' she said. Emily has recently discovered romance novels, and prefers buying books from stores like Popular as she finds that some library books are not well maintained, with foxing or missing pages. She is now on her fifth book of 2025, although pursuing a Higher Nitec in biochemical technology has left her with less time to read. 'I have a lot of work to do, so I read mostly at night. But since I share a room with my sister, I have to switch off the lights when she sleeps,' she said, adding that she continues reading in the dark, relying on whatever light filters in from outside, 'and that is challenging'. She told ST she has a list of books she plans to read, and sees herself immersing in books – even in her old age. 'Reading is more than a hobby,' she said. 'I read to unwind and escape from reality, so that I don't get too stressed by daily life.'
