Hiker Lost, Rescue Helicopter Crashes, but all is Good

Ronald Bolen, an Oklahoma University professor, was reported missing last week on a trail to Boundary Peak (4,005 m), the Mono County sheriff’s office said. Boundary Peak is the tallest in Nevada.

A Navy helicopter looking for Bolen in the White Mountains in the Inyo National Forest, east of Yosemite National Park crashed.  The four-member crew escaped injury, but had to spend Friday night in the wilderness before being rescued from a ridge along the California-Nevada line. Navy spokesman Zip Upham said, “The Navy is investigating the cause of the crash of the MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter.”

Bolen was found by hikers this weekend in good condition and transported for medical treatment. A family member told the Reno Gazette Journal that Bolen was dehydrated but otherwise in good shape.

A second Knighthawk helicopter left the air station after the crash and found the crew, but was unable to safely rescue them. A California National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter that performs better at high altitudes returned to safely remove the crew members, Upham said.

“It’s going to take us a little time to do the investigation because of where the aircraft rests,” Upham said. “After that, we’ll see about removing the aircraft.” Read a story here about how 100 hikers got lost and how they survived.

?MISSING OU PROFESSOR FOUND ALIVE?

4 days after going missing in the mountains in Nevada — Ron Bolen was finally located by the NYE County Sheriff’s Dept this afternoon.

Here’s an update from his daughter⤵️ pic.twitter.com/c4KiWoMOhe

— Rebecca Pryor (@RebeccaPryorTV) July 17, 2021