Injured Hiker Rescued Near Moon Lake with Help from Area Helicopter Teams

By Denise Rivette

An injured hiker was rescued last night in the Beartooth Mountains of Carbon County after being injured while hiking near Moon Lake. Carbon County’s Search and Rescue, operated through Red Lodge Fire Rescue, dispatched a “Hasty Team” to hike approximately five miles in to reach the hiker and render aid. They were prepared to carry him out, but the rescue was expedited with the help of a Montana Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter equipped for high altitude medical rescues.

The hiker was transported to the front lawn of the Beartooth Billings Clinic where he was quickly transferred to the Emergency Department with the Blackhawk still running (see below). Guardian Flight from Cody, Wyoming, was standing by to transport to Billings if needed.

Carbon County Airport board member Bo Ewald said, “Another successful community effort coordinated by Sheriff Josh McQuillan, Red Lodge Fire Rescue’s SAR and EMS volunteers, our friends from the Montana Army National Guard, Guardian Flight from Cody, and the great staff of doctors, nurses and technicians at Beartooth Billings Clinic; all to help one young man who was in need.”

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