Alaska man survives being pinned face-down by 700-pound boulder in creek after help from his wife
Share this @internewscast.com

An Alaska man managed to survive after being trapped face-down by a 700-pound boulder in a creek, thanks to his wife who kept his head above the water to stop him from drowning, authorities reported.

The terrifying event involving Kell Morris took place last Saturday while he was hiking near Godwin Glacier outside of Seward on a remote and undeveloped trail behind a state prison, according to Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites.

“The individual was discovered lying in the creek on his stomach beneath an approximately 700 lb. boulder, with his spouse holding his head out of the water. He was hypothermic and drifting in and out of consciousness,” the Seward Fire Department stated. “Utilizing airbags, ropes, and sheer strength, crews were able to lift the boulder off the individual and bring him to safety. Once removed from the water, the crew helped him warm up, which made him more alert and improved his vital signs.”

Morris, 61, who was trapped for about three hours, later told the Associated Press that “I was very lucky” and “God was looking out for me.” 

Kell Morris and Jo Roop

Kell Morris, left, and his wife Jo Roop, in Sandpoint, Idaho.  (Kell Morris via AP)

Morris recounted to the AP how he felt an intense pain in his left leg and waited for his femur to snap. 

“When it first happened, I was doubtful that there was going to be a good outcome,” Morris said. 

His wife tried to free him for about 30 minutes, putting rocks under the boulder and trying to roll it off him, before she left to find a cell signal to call 911. She used her law enforcement experience to send exact GPS coordinates to dispatch. 

The Seward Fire Department said a volunteer at the nearby Bear Creek Fire Department who works for Seward Helicopter Tours then heard the call “while working and he and a pilot volunteered to respond to the scene and pick up six firefighters via helicopter and transport them to the patient, thus cutting down 45 minutes of travel time. 

“The patient was in a boulder field and the helicopter could only hover while firefighters had to jump from the helicopter to the ground as the helicopter could not land safely,” it said. 

The Seward Fire Department said Morris was airlifted to a local hospital where he is now expected to make a full recovery, but “it is now doubt that without the help from the Seward Helicopter Tours this incident could have had a much different and potentially fatal outcome.” 

Firefighters who carried out the rescue used two air bags normally reserved to extract people from wrecked vehicles to slightly lift the boulder. 

Alaska creek

The creek near Seward, Alaska, where Kell Morris was trapped under a 700-pound rock.  (Jason Harrington/Seward Fire Department via AP)

“It just became an all-hands brute force of ‘one, two, three, push,’” Crites told the AP. “And seven guys were able to lift it enough to pull the victim out.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Livestock landscaping: Vermont ski areas employ goats and sheep to clear the slopes

Grazing Livestock: Vermont Ski Resorts Use Goats and Sheep for Slope Maintenance

JAY, Vt. (AP) — Months before the first snow beckons skiers, sheep…
Son accused of brutally beating his mother to death with gardening tool over inheritance: police

Man Allegedly Kills Mother in Violent Attack Using Garden Tool in Dispute Over Inheritance: Authorities

A Missouri man is behind bars after authorities say he allegedly beat…
UVU Professor’s CIA Ties Vanish After Kirk Event

CIA Connections of UVU Professor Disappear Post-Kirk Event

A social media investigation has surfaced claims that a Utah Valley University…
Carnival ride malfunction

Carnival Ride Malfunction Leaves Passengers Hanging at School Event: Watch the Video

A Carnival ride in California malfunctioned during a high school event, causing…
Charlie Kirk assassination: Exclusive photos show path to campus rooftop weeks later as access scrutinized

Charlie Kirk Incident: New Photos Reveal Route to Campus Rooftop Amid Security Review

“Many campus police departments do not have drone programs, which poses a…
Trump gives Hamas 'three to four days' to accept plan or meet a 'a very sad end'

Trump Warns Hamas: You Have ‘Three to Four Days’ to Agree to Plan or Face Consequences

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump gave the Hamas terrorist organization a deadline…
National parks will remain 'generally' open during the shutdown, but Liberty Bell doors are closed

Most National Parks to Stay Open Amid Shutdown, but Liberty Bell is Off-Limits

NEW YORK (AP) — A sizable crowd boarded boats to explore the…
Robert Irwin on shirtless 'Dancing With the Stars' performance and influx of messages from American girls

Robert Irwin’s Shirtless ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Routine Sparks Attention from American Fans

Robert Irwin is feeling like a million bucks. The wildlife conservationist chatted…
Morgan Wallen denied throwing chair off bar roof to police in 2024, footage shows

Morgan Wallen Dismisses Allegations of Throwing Chair from Bar Roof in 2024, Video Evidence Emerges

Country music star Morgan Wallen, who was arrested and charged with reckless…
North Carolina bar patron’s video may have foiled gunman night before deadly waterfront massacre: report

Video from a North Carolina bar patron might have stopped a gunman the night before a deadly waterfront shooting: report

A gunman accused of carrying out an ambush at a North Carolina…
Michigan church shooter's romance history emerges as suspect's father apologizes to victims' families

Community of LDS Church Members Raises Over $140K for Family of Michigan Shooting Victim

Members associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have…
Utah gov marks turning point as TPUSA returns after Charlie Kirk assassination

Utah Governor Marks Milestone as TPUSA Reunites Following Incident Involving Charlie Kirk

LOGAN, Utah – Turning Point USA returned to Utah Tuesday night for…