3-year-old child survives 50-foot fall from Winner Creek hand tram platform
By Ken Smith
Turnagin Times
On Tuesday, Aug. 9, at around 2 p.m., a three-year-old boy from Anchorage fell 50 feet from a platform at the hand tram over Winner Creek.
The Girdwood Fire Dept. responded with 6 EMS personnel and members from a newly established technical response team. They took a four-wheeler about half way down Winner Creek Trail from the Crow Creek Road trailhead entrance, but muddy terrain left the responders to make the rest of their way down the trail on foot.
“Evidently this lady and her son were in the basket going across after the three-year-old child had already crossed with other tram passengers,” said Bill Chadwick, Girdwood Fire Dept. Chief, who was part of the response team. “The three-year old tried to assist with the other people at the platform in pulling the rope that moves the tram over the creek, and he got pulled over the edge.”
Chadwick said the child may have hit a tree on the way down before rolling onto the sandbar on the bank of the river. The child was seriously injured, he said, and had to be transported by a helicopter to Providence Hospital.
“We placed the boy onto a basket stretcher and carried him up the side of the cliff with assistance from Alyeska personnel and people from Alaska Wildland Adventures, who happened to be out there. We carried the child a mile-and-a-half up the trail to the Crow Creek Mine, where a helicopter arrived and transported him to Providence Hospital.”
The municipality sent a person from risk management to take photos of the tram, which is on Heritage Land Bank Property.
The Alaska State Troopers reported the following incidents. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Theft
GIRDWOOD—July 25 at 11 a.m., a theft was reported from a purse at the Girdwood Tesoro. The complainant reported that approximately $450 in cash was stolen from her purse, which had been mistakenly left at the gas station. The investigation led Troopers to apply for an arrest warrant for Samuel Everett, age 23 of Jacksonville, Florida. Anchorage Airport Police subsequently arrested Everett early the following morning as he attempted to board a plane, while leaving the state. Everett was remanded to the Anchorage Jail. Bail was set at $5,000.
Criminal Trespass, Assault, Criminal Mischief, Negligent Driving
GIRDWOOD—July 24 at 2:13 a.m., a disturbance was reported at a residence along the Alyeska Highway in Girdwood. Troopers responded to the disturbance. The investigation revealed that Nicole Bailleaux, age 28 of Girdwood, had assaulted the complainant and his female guest, damaged personal property at the residence and operated her vehicle in a negligent manner. Bailleaux had already left the area and was not contacted until later in the afternoon. Bailleaux was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage Jail for Criminal Trespass I, Assault IV (DV) x 2, Criminal Mischief IV (DV), and Negligent Driving. Bail for Bailleaux was set at $5,000. Both the complaint and guest denied needing medical attention.
Failure to Immediately Report a Motor Vehicle Accident
GIRDWOOD—July 30 at about 10 a.m., Troopers responded to a motor vehicle collision that had occurred in the parking lot of the Alyeska Hotel several hours earlier. No injuries had been reported previously. The investigation revealed that Morgan Osborn, age 17 from Girdwood, had been driving in the employee housing parking lot when the vehicle she was driving struck a lamp pole and was disabled. Osborn did not contact Troopers to report the accident. Osborn was issued a citation for failure to immediately report a motor vehicle accident and released. Osborn made arrangements for the vehicle to be towed. Damage appeared to be over $2,000 to her vehicle. No damage was reported to lamp pole by Alyeska Hotel security. No injuries were reported and Osborn had been wearing her seatbelt.
Driving While License Revoked
MILE 63 SEWARD HIGHWAY—July 31 at approximately 4:40 p.m., Troopers stopped a 2011 Toyota Corolla for a moving violation near mi 63 Seward Highway. An investigation revealed the driver, Yeong Ho Choe, age 39 of California was driving with a revoked driver’s license. Choe was issued a Misdemeanor Citation for DWLR and a Minor Offense Citation for the moving violation and was released on scene.
Driving While License Revoked
MILE 117 SEWARD HIGHWAY—August 1 at about 5:14 p.m., Troopers contacted a black Nissan SUV for a moving violation near mile 117 of the Seward Highway in the safety corridor. An investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle, Edward L. Colety, age 68 of Santa Clara, California was operating the vehicle with a revoked drivers license. Colety was issued a misdemeanor citation for DWLR. The vehicle was released to a passenger who had a valid license.
Warrant Arrest
MILE 102 SEWARD HIGHWAY—August 1 at about 5:36 p.m., Jeffery James Lees, age 53 of Fairbanks, was contacted in the Bird Creek parking lot, mile 102 Seward Highway, during a traffic stop. Lees was arrested on an outstanding Fairbanks AST warrant for leaving the scene of accident. Lees was transported to the Anchorage Jail without incident. Bail was set at $250.
Assault
PORTAGE—August 5 at around midnight, Troopers responded to the Black Bear Campground, space #10, for the report of a disturbance. An investigation revealed Flora Brown, age 46 of Anchorage, assaulted another female family member. Brown was placed under arrest, transported to the Anchorage Jail, and remanded. Bail was set at $250.
DUI, Refusal, Misconduct Involving a Weapon
GIRDWOOD—August 7 at around 2:30 a.m., William Robinson, age 25 from Fairbanks, was contacted by Troopers for being passed out in a vehicle near Arlberg and Brighton. Investigation revealed Robinson was impaired by alcohol. During the investigation, it was discovered that Robinson was in possession of a firearm. Robinson was arrested and transported to the Girdwood Trooper Post. Robinson was charged with one count each of DUI, Refusal to Provide a Breath Sample, and Misconduct Involving Weapons 4th Degree. Robinson was remanded to the Anchorage Jail without incident. Bail was set at $2,000.
Assault
GIRDWOOD—August 10 at around 3:30 p.m., Trooper responded to the Girdwood Municipal Park located behind the Girdwood Fire Department in reference to a domestic disturbance. An adult female reported that her boyfriend assaulted her by punching her on her head. The boyfriend was identified as Christopher G. Zeutzius (age 34 of Anchorage, AK). Zeutzius was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage Correctional Complex with bail set at $1,500. Alcohol was a factor in this incident.
Warrant Arrest
SEWARD HIGHWAY—August 12 at 3 p.m., Troopers with the Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team contacted Gerald A. Marshall, age 56, of Anchorage as the driver of a vehicle stopped for a speeding violation. An investigation revealed Marshall had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The warrant was for failing to appear at arraignment on the original charge of failing to provide proof of vehicle insurance. Marshall was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant. Marshall was transported and remanded into the Anchorage Jail where his bail was set at $500.
Motor Vehicle Collision-Damage
COOPER LANDING—August 13 at 11:08 a.m., Troopers responded to a single vehicle rollover on the Seward Highway at the Sterling Highway off ramp, near Cooper Landing. An investigation revealed Benjamin Gorlick, 28 of Anchorage, was driving a 2005 Chevy Tahoe when he lost control as he entered the off ramp. The vehicle struck a guardrail and rolled onto its top. Gorlick was wearing his seatbelt and wasn’t injured in the collision. The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene.
Driving While License Suspended
MILE 97 SEWARD HIGHWAY—August 14 at 2:54 p.m., Troopers with the Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team conducted a traffic stop on a white 2006 Lexus for a speeding violation near mile 97 of the Seward Highway. An investigation revealed the driver, Michael W. Padgett, age 27 of Anchorage, was driving with a suspended driver’s license out of Florida. Padgett was issued a misdemeanor citation for driving with a suspended license and was released on scene. Padgett was also issued a citation for speeding. The Lexus was released to a licensed driver who arrived on scene.
