By Jon Johnson/Gila Herald
MOUNT GRAHAM — An 18-year-old female was hospitalized with serious internal injuries late Saturday night after a massive log rolled over her during a camping gathering at Treasure Park Campgrounds on Mount Graham.
First responders were dispatched to the northernmost campsite at Treasure Park around 11:06 p.m. following an emergency call reporting that a large log had rolled onto an 18-year-old female. The reporting party indicated that while the log had been moved off the victim, she was experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, intermittent loss of consciousness, and had blood in her mouth.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel located the victim lying near a cut pine trunk measuring approximately two feet in diameter and 40 to 50 feet in length. The victim was conscious but unable to speak due to severe pain, and fellow campers had covered her with jackets to keep her warm. No visible external injuries were immediately apparent.
According to statements gathered at the scene, a group of six young adults—ranging in age from 18 to 20—had gathered at the campsite to roast s’mores around a campfire. The group attempted to roll the massive pine trunk down a 10-to-15-foot slope for fun. As the group pushed the log, the 18-year-old victim’s hoodie snagged on a stub-out branch, pulling her around and under the rolling trunk. Group members manipulated the log to free her before calling for help. Authorities noted there were no signs of alcohol or drug use at the scene.
Lifeline Ambulance personnel provided initial medical care, placing the victim in a neck brace and backboard before securing her in the ambulance. Responders initially coordinated with Air Evac to establish a landing zone at Ladybug Saddle for rapid air transport. However, after hovering over the site, the air medical crew diverted and canceled the flight because of heavy tree cover and no safe emergency escape route.
With no viable air landing zones available down the mountain, Lifeline Ambulance transported the victim via ground unit to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, accompanied by law enforcement.
At the hospital, attending physicians determined the 18-year-old suffered internal bleeding near her kidney and pelvic region requiring surgical intervention. On Sunday afternoon, emergency officials confirmed the victim was subsequently transferred to Banner – University Medical Center in Tucson for specialized surgical care and further treatment.
