Dislocated Hip Prompts Search and Rescue South of Big Sky

A 27 year old woman was startled by a fox, causing her to stumble and dislocate her hip on a trail south of Big Sky on Friday. Thankfully this scary scenario had a few strokes of good luck.

According to the official press release from the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office:

• On Friday morning at 11:21 am, Gallatin County 911 received a report of an injured hiker on Cinnamon Creek Trail south of Big Sky.
• The caller reported his wife found a 27 yr old woman two miles up the trail, unconscious with an injured leg.
• The caller told the Sheriff’s Deputy he was communicating with his wife through a Garmin In-Reach text message device.
• Sheriff’s Search and Rescue at Big Sky and the Big Sky Fire Department were dispatched.
• In addition the REACH medical helicopter and the Sheriff’s Heli Rescue team were launched.
• Rescuers on foot and ATV located her at 1:34 pm. She had recovered somewhat and was alert and oriented when they arrived.
• The responding helicopters were canceled because her condition had improved.
• It was discovered that she was carrying a forty pound pack and when a fox ran out in front of her, she pivoted and dislocated her hip.
• A Big Sky Fire Paramedic who is also a Search and Rescue member assessed the injured hiker and administered medication.
• She was packaged on a one wheeled rescue litter and transported back to the Cinnamon Creek Trail head to a waiting Big Sky Fire Ambulance.
• She was taken to the Big Sky Medical Center.