Positivity: Hiker survives fall, saved from cliff by tree

From Kodiak, Alaska:

Article published on Monday, March 5th, 2007

A long slide down a hill, then a hard hit up against a life-saving tree at the edge of a 40-foot drop from a cliff, could have been much worse for 23-year-old Luke Nymeyer, who is in the hospital with broken bones.

Luke was hiking with friend Ryan Boudreau early Sunday afternoon near Artillery Hill about a half-mile from the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge headquarters building when he slid and began a 200-yard tumble that briefly knocked him unconscious.

For a time, rescuers had difficulty locating him, but finally pulled him out. Then at 4:16 p.m. he was transported to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center where he remains today.

The rescue ordeal lasted about three hours before Luke was finally brought to safety by the U.S. Coast Guard Fire Department. Some 15 firefighters helped Luke in the rescue operation.

Luke, at 6-feet, 4 inches, and 210 pounds, is a firefighter for the Base fire department. He is the son of Susan and Mark Nymeyer. Mark is pastor of the Kodiak Bible Chapel.

“We were rescuing one of our own,” fire chief Jeff Holcomb said.

But both Holcomb and Luke’s mother, Susan, give much credit to the tree.

“What a wonderful tree,” she said.

“No doubt, a friendly tree,” Holcomb said.

Susan said his injuries are serious, but he is recovering without any anticipated long-term damage.

“It could have been so much worse. But all responses are normal. Apparently, there is no nerve damage,” she said.

“We are grateful he is alive and there is no paralysis,” Susan said.

She said her son has two fractured vertebrae just below the rib cage, a broken bone just above the right wrist and one broken rib.

She said doctors today are continuing to determine the full extent of the injuries and a second CAT scan is being done.

Susan said Boudreau, a North Star Elementary School teacher, was significantly helpful in comforting and keeping her son safe until rescuers could get to him.

“He (Boudreau) climbed down the hill and helped keep him warm. Then they just sang and prayed,” she said.

Susan said she does not know how long her son will be recovering in the hospital, and that visitation is limited until he is in better condition.

She said her son lost consciousness just before hitting the tree, but has remained conscious since; although he is in considerable pain and has chosen not to use much medication available at the push of a button at his bedside.

Holcomb said the ordeal began while Luke and Boudreau were out for a Sunday hike just above the Buskin beach, near the Buskin River.

“He just slipped and fell,” Holcomb said. “The tree saved his life and it was a good thing they had cell phones.

“We had to find him because they could not describe the exact location themselves. It was a place that was completely out of site,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb said there were six fire units at the scene in addition to Alaska State Troopers, the city ambulance and a number of bystanders.

“From the edge of the cliff there would have been anywhere from a 30-foot to 40-foot drop. He was right on the edge braced against the tree,” Holcomb said.

“Our crews did an outstanding job. After all, they were rescuing one of their own,” he said.

“Our prayers were answered,” Susan said.