Two men, who were rescued by Routt County Search and Rescue on Jan. 12 during a mission that injured a volunteer in an avalanche, are grateful to the organization, but say reports they previously were rescued are wrong.
On Jan. 23, talked about the Jan. 12 rescue in Fish Creek Canyon. Commissioners wanted to know if the county could try to recover the rescue costs from the men because they had been previously rescued and failed to carry proper equipment. The discussion was held after county officials confirmed that medical bills for the rescuer injured in the avalanche would be covered by the county’s workers’ compensation fund.
But in interviews with , the two Minnesota men — Tom Trutna and Jerry Baack — said they had not been rescued before, although other people in their group had been previously rescued. Although the men admitted they didn’t have all the equipment they needed, they did have essential items including shovels, avalanche beacons, probes, extra clothes and a way to start a fire.
“It wasn’t like we were morons who went off the bus with not a hope and a prayer,” Trutna said.
He said the group took a wrong turn and ended up in the canyon. Trutna and Baack, who are grateful for the Search and Rescue organization and sorry that rescuer Jay Bowman was injured, wanted to set the record straight. Trutna also donated $2,000 to Search and Rescue to thank them for their work.
Search and Rescue President Chad Bowdre said the friend who reported the men needed help was incorrect when he said they were unprepared to spend the night. He also said the organization opposed having the commissioners attempt to recover rescue costs. None of the state’s search and rescue organizations charge for services because they don’t want to deter people from seeking help.
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