Ellijay Civil Air Patrol Cadets Save Woman in Winter Storm

Community, Featured Stories

New Release from the CAP: Ellijay, Georgia, January 29, 2014: The snow on January 28th brought frustration and danger to many Georgia drivers, but perhaps none as much as a woman who’s Ford F-150 slid off the side of a mountain in North Georgia. 16 year-old Daniel Stephens and younger brother Gage, both Civil Air Patrol cadets with the 507 Ellijay Composite Squadron, witnessed the accident while hiking near his Cherry Log home that Tuesday afternoon. The woman suffered multiple broken ribs, a broken hip, a lower-back injury, and a partially dislocated shoulder, when she attempted to vacate the vehicle, and tumbled nearly 100 feet down the side of the mountain. Using training learned in classroom and field exercises from Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Senior Airman Stephens quickly scaled the terrain, stabilized the woman, and prevented her from falling nearly another 150 feet to the bottom. Stephens exposed himself to the elements when he took off his own coat and gloves, and used them to keep the woman warm, while sending younger brother Gage back to their house to call 911 and bring several blankets. By the time emergency personnel had arrived, Stephens had immobilized the woman’s neck and spine, to prevent further trauma.

Gilmer County Fire Chief and EMA Director, Tony Pritchett, said

“Stephens followed directions explicitly, provided detailed information about the woman’s condition and had appropriately taken steps to prevent further injury. He was a great asset to the EMS team; we were happy he was there”.

“If I were in that situation, I would want help too,” said Stephens, who had just returned home Sunday evening from a weekend-long, cadet-led search-and-rescue training exercise in the mountains with the Cobb County Composite Squadron. Colonel Richard Greenwood, Georgia Wing Commander, in a message to 507 Ellijay Squadron Commander, stated he is “very proud of this young man and his quick action”.

Civil Air Patrol performs more than 95% of all search-and-rescue operations in the United States, and assists FEMA and local Emergency Management Agencies in relief efforts after natural and man-made disasters. CAP also teaches the nation’s youth about the science of aerospace, and transforms them into leaders in their communities. The majority of the CAP Cadet Program is led by other cadets, ranging in age from 12 to 21 years old. To learn more about the Civil Air Patrol, or for a unit near you, go online to www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

Back to Top