Man survives after being trapped face down under a 300 kg rock for three hours
Image: AP
An Alaska man miraculously survived after being pinned face down in an icy creek by a 300 kg boulder for nearly three hours. The incident occurred during a hike near the remote Godwin Glacier, south of Anchorage.
Kell Morris, 61, escaped with only minor injuries thanks to his wife's quick thinking and the timely response of emergency teams. The boulder, dislodged during a sudden rockslide, landed on his back as he fell down an embankment. Despite the remote location, his wife managed to call for help, and a nearby tour helicopter was crucial in reaching him in time.
How peaceful hike ended in screams under a giant rock
Kell Morris and his wife Jo Roop, a retired Alaska State Trooper, were out for a hike over Memorial Day weekend to avoid the crowds.
They chose a rugged trail near Seward that followed a rocky creek bed filled with large boulders. While navigating the area, the ground beneath Morris suddenly collapsed, causing him to tumble 20 feet and land face down in freezing water. Moments later, a 300 kg boulder fell and pinned him in place.
Quick thinking and teamwork saved Kell Morris's life
When Kell Morris was trapped under a heavy boulder, his wife Jo Roop acted fast to save him. She first tried to move the rock herself by placing smaller rocks underneath to roll it off, but it was too heavy.
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Realising she needed help, she walked about 300 metres until she found a mobile signal and called 911. Thanks to her experience as a police officer, she was able to give precise GPS coordinates to emergency services. While waiting for help, she held Kell's head above the freezing water to stop him from drowning.
A nearby sled dog tour company heard the emergency call and quickly sent one of their helicopters to the rescue.
The location was too rough for vehicles, so firefighters had to jump out of the hovering helicopter onto the rocky creek bed to reach Kell. By this time, Kell was very cold and losing consciousness.
The rescue team used inflatable airbags, usually meant for car accidents, to gently lift the boulder just enough. Then seven rescuers combined their strength to push the rock off Kell and pull him free. After that, an Alaska National Guard helicopter airlifted him to hospital.
Despite the terrifying situation, Kell survived with only minor injuries thanks to quick thinking and teamwork.
A miraculous escape and a lesson learned
Morris later reflected on his incredible escape, calling himself 'the luckiest man alive.' He credited his survival to his wife's bravery, the swift emergency response, and divine luck. The couple now plans to avoid off-trail hikes in future. 'We're going to stop the trailblazing,' Morris said with a smile.
Seward Helicopter Tours and local fire departments were praised for their fast action. Their teamwork and timing were crucial in saving Morris's life. The incident serves as a reminder of nature's unpredictability and the importance of safety when venturing into remote area.
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