Tannersville, PA – Camelback Ski Patrol, and seven ski patrollers in particular, were honored at St. Luke’s University Health Network’s 9th Annual Night of Heroes Celebration held on Sept. 21 at the Steel Stacks Arts Quest Center in Bethlehem, Penn. The patrollers are were recognized for their response to a trauma incident at Camelback Mountain Resort in March 2012, and their subsequent evacuation of the individual to the trauma unit at St. Luke’s University Health Network.
Fifteen minutes before the close of the 2011-12 winter season at Camelback Mountain Resort in eastern Pennsylvania, ski patrollers responded to a report of an injured individual in the terrain park. When patrollers arrived on scene, they found the individual in a severe state of trauma.
“Camelback’s Ski Patrol has an established trauma response system that allowed us to spring to action,” says Jack Bogdon, Ski Patrol Director at Camelback Mountain Resort. “We were able to stabilize the individual, assess his injuries, transport him down the slopes and have him evacuated via helicopter to the trauma unit at St. Luke’s during a time period when every moment is critical.”
At St. Luke’s, the individual was diagnosed with a fracture of the sixth vertebra in his thoracic spine. Through intensive therapy, he eventually regained mobility. He is currently enrolled as a freshman at Ohio State University in Columbus, and even spent some time back on the slopes last season.
“St. Luke’s attends to 2,400 trauma cases annually,” according to the St. Luke’s Trauma Center Administrator. “This incident was one of two in 2012 selected to be honored for its remarkable circumstances. The Camelback Ski Patrol response was the first step in a chain of care that supported the individual through his recovery.”
The seven Camelback ski patrollers recognized are Ben Croasdale, Ed Eccker, Dan Kerr, Cassie Mayberry, Nancy Mayberry, Rich Palmer and Fred Tim.
“We’re incredibly proud of our ski patrollers,” said Charles Blier, executive vice president and general manager at Camelback Mountain Resort. “We thank St. Luke’s for this recognition, and emphasize our commitment to offer the highest quality conditions, service and safety we can provide to Camelback’s skiers and snowboarders.”