Alaska man survives three-hour ordeal pinned by a 700-pound boulder

In Anchorage, Alaska, a 61-year-old man named Kell Morris faced a harrowing situation last Saturday while on a hike near Godwin Glacier. He was pinned face down in a creek by a 700-pound boulder following a tumble down an embankment that caused the rock to land on his back. His wife, Jo Roop, a retired Alaska State Trooper, managed to hold his head above water for approximately three hours while waiting for emergency responders. Morris was taken to Seward Providence Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia but was reported to make a full recovery shortly after the incident. The incident began when Morris noticed the treacherous terrain, characterized by large boulders along the creek, as he attempted to navigate back. After the ground beneath him gave way, he fell about 20 feet into the water and was immediately struck by the boulder. With rocks positioned under him, he was not crushed, but held pinned in a precarious situation. His wife's quick response allowed her to maintain his airway and prevent drowning while she sought help. She walked approximately 300 yards to connect with 911, utilizing her law enforcement experience to provide critical GPS coordinates to the dispatchers. The actions of Jo Roop were pivotal to the rescue efforts; a volunteer at the Bear Creek Fire Department, who was working at a nearby sled dog tourism company, overheard the emergency call and worked to divert a helicopter to the scene, significantly reducing the time it would have taken for first responders to reach Morris. Firefighters jumped from the hovering helicopter into the boulder field and began the arduous process of lifting the boulder off Morris. They utilized air bags and brute force to successfully complete the rescue, managing to lift it enough to free him from the water. Morris described himself as the luckiest man alive, crediting his survival to both his wife's diligence and the timely assistance from community volunteers who took action in response to the emergency call. Had it not been for the assistance from unrelated businesses like the Seward Helicopter Tours, the outcome could have been fatal. After his rescue, Morris has expressed his intent to stick to established trails during future hikes. The incident underlines the importance of community support and quick decision-making in life-threatening situations.