On Saturday morning, the 29th of July, a young man from Boise on his first ride at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes launched off of the shallower side of a small dune northeast of Crapo's Hill on a trail ride heading for the Cedars. He did so without knowing that there was a covering of lava rocks at the bottom of this dune. I also have to speculate that he didn't realize exactly how high the crest of the dune was, either. The combination of height and unyeilding lava rock caused him to crash with massive injuries to his head. Emergency services were called and Life-Flight was called in. This is one of the most common types of accidents here at SA and involves "newbies" about 99% of the time.
Life-Flight making its approach to landing.
The Fremont EMS and Sheriff prepping the accident victim. That Funco car is well worth its cost at times like this.
The accident victim launched his Raptor 700 from the dune just about where the blue Banshee is sitting....right into the patch of lava rocks at the bottom.
Notice the bent raptor on the right.
A young man worried about his friend.
The EMS and Life-Flight crew work to stabilize and move the patient.
The force of the landing bent the whole frame of the wheeler.
Temporary shade is held over the patient.
After stabilization, the patient is carried to the helicopter.
This is looking, pretty much, straight up the direction of travel.
Damage to the helmet shows multiple impact. Helmets will only protect you so much...then its all luck or fate.
Notice the dents. There were some pretty hard impacts to the head.
Not a patch of ground you want to land in from a great height.
It looks as though the wheeler landed nose-high on the back. He saw it coming and had a second to realize the error.
Remember: Do NOT assume that the other side of the dune is safe for an aerial. The first time over the crest of a dune, approach cautiously, survey the other side before launch. Turn at an angle to the crest if you have to. Remember, never ride faster than you can see. Never launch till you know for sure. To blindly launch off of a dune is just plain crazy. You are not brave, you are not a "pro", you are just acting without thinking and you may never have another coherant thought again if your head contacts a lava rock. If there is someone on the other side and you hit them, you are criminally negligent and no one is going to feel one bit sorry for your misfortune.
