News - National
Rescuers struggle to reach man in Mount St. Helens
Posted: Feb 16, 2010 1:11 PM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Observers in helicopters say they aren't seeing any movement from a man who fell 1,500 feet into the crater of Mount St. Helens in Washington.
Rescuers have been trying to reach him, but weather conditions have made it impossible so far. Two attempts to reach Joseph Bohlig by helicopter were turned back yesterday by winds and fading daylight. An avalanche danger has prevented a ground rescue attempt.
Bohlig was alive and blowing a rescue whistle soon after he fell. But when a Coast Guard helicopter flew overhead, the pilot said he saw no movement of the man's head and no attempt to signal. The pilot says the man's torso was covered with snow, with his arms, legs and head sticking out.
A helicopter from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station was dispatched today.
The National Weather Service says the overnight temperature on the mountain likely dropped to the upper 20s.
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