Rescuers locate Durango woman
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October 24, 2007 By Shane Benjamin | Herald Staff Writer Rescue workers searched all night Monday for a Durango woman who became stranded in the backcountry northeast of Lemon Reservoir. With the assistance of a helicopter, rescue workers were able to locate Kimberly Creery and bring her to safety early Tuesday. The search began about 7:55 p.m. Monday when authorities received a 911 call from a man reporting that his wife failed to return on time to a predetermined location, said Butch Knowlton, director of La Plata County's Office of Emergency Preparedness. Creery was hunting about five miles northeast of Lemon Reservoir, near Stumps Lakes, west of Endlich Mesa. She apparently fell down a steep embankment and injured her ankle, Knowlton said. Authorities began their search by looking for Creery near her last-known location. As they went, they made contact with other hunters, who joined in the search, Knowlton said. After nightfall, Knowlton requested the assistance of a Farmington police helicopter. But the helicopter was unable to assist, so rescue workers asked Tri-State CareFlight helicopter to assist. With good visibility and clear skies, the Tri-State crew agreed to assist, he said. At 1:59 a.m., the flight crew located a campfire and Creery nearby. Using Global Position Satellite readings, a ground crew made contact with Creery at 3:24 a.m. She was complaining of an ankle injury but was able to walk out under her own power, Knowlton said. "She wasn't totally prepared for the cool temperatures," he said, but she did have matches to start a fire. "Any time individuals leave their vehicles, they should be prepared in case they're unable to get back," Knowlton said. "Carry enough provisions to care for yourself." The rescue occurred above 11,000 feet in elevation. Agencies that participated in the search included the La Plata County Sheriff's Office, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, Tri-State Careflight, and Search and Rescue.
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Shane Benjamin | Herald Staff Writer
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