As the initial crew wrapped up, another call came in for a sprained ankle near Poet’s Table on Little Devil’s Tower trail (#4). Two Yamaha RMAX4 UTVs were deployed to transport medical teams, navigating challenging terrain and coordinating with a second RMAX4-equipped litter hauler. Meanwhile, another call surfaced for a broken ankle at Cathedral Spires trailhead, leading to a complex operation.
Navigating through traffic and wildlife delays, the team redirected efforts towards Cathedral Spires, correcting initial location reports. Facing steep and rocky terrain, a strategic redeployment plan was enacted via Little Devil’s Tower trail to access the patient effectively. Despite erosion challenges and vehicle damage, all patients were attended to and transported, with SAR members joining forces for strenuous carries.
The last patient was finally transported via wheeled litter carrier to Cathedral Spires parking lot and transferred to awaiting ambulance by 7:30 p.m.
The day’s operations involved collaboration among Custer County Search and Rescue, Custer Ambulance, and Custer State Park, supported crucially by Yamaha and Black Hills Powersports’ sponsorship of their RMAX4 UTVs.
