Fremont responders awarded for heroic efforts after snow tragedy
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ST. ANTHONY -– Fremont County Commissioners presented awards Monday to two first responders for their heroic efforts during a tragic snow accident in Island Park.
Fremont County EMT Greg Walker and Fremont County Sheriff Dep. Tom Smith were the first responders to arrive at the scene after snow fell from a roof and buried three children near Mack’s Inn Feb. 26.
RELATED: ONE CHILD DEAD, TWO IN FAIR CONDITION AFTER ‘FREAK ACCIDENT’
Two-year-old Halle Ann Merrill died following the accident and two seven-year-olds were injured.
Walker arrived at the cabin just minutes after the snow fell from the roof. He was off duty but across the river from where the accident had taken place. Walker said he had a scoop shovel in his truck and began digging through the massive pile of snow.
“I got there about ten minutes before all the other fire fighters, and the EMT’s and the police. I think that extra few minutes might have helped,” Walker said.
Walker said the first girl to be uncovered was one of the seven-year-olds. Fortunately she was breathing, Walker said, but in immense pain.
RELATED: FAMILY INVOLVED IN SNOW ACCIDENT: ‘HOLD YOUR LOVED ONES TIGHT’
Smith arrived minutes later and began helping Walker. It took five to seven minutes to find the other seven-year-old girl. Walker saw she was unresponsive and began performing CPR on her for about 3 minutes he recounts.
“More angels (came) when 20 fire fighters showed up – all with shovels,” Smith said.
The two-year-old girl was the last to be found – nearly 40 minutes after the snow collapse. She was eventually revived inside the medical helicopter but later died at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
“I relive it every night when I close my eyes,” Smith said. “I have a grandson that’s two-years-old and we were all digging like they were our own kids.”
During the Monday meeting, Bob Foster, the director of Fremont County Emergency Services, read a letter from Life Flight.
Part of the letter stated:
“We feel you all individually and collectively did everything possible to ensure a positive outcome. We’re grateful for the help you gave both in the cabin and in the ambulance in caring for all three patients.”
Smith and Walker were tearful upon receiving their awards – saying they are both heartbroken at the loss of a young child and grateful their lives that were spared.
Commissioners thanked Walker and Smith for putting themselves at great risk while making life saving efforts and said the community appreciates their efforts.