Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF Fri-Yay/Good News.

~ John W. Howell
U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Haveman (left) and the splint he made for the injured climber (right) – courtesy of Travis AFB.

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.

Trapped on Tiny Ledge, Fallen Hiker with Mangled Legs Rescued by Off-Duty Air Force Hero

By Andy Corbley

An off-duty Air Force Captain proved himself worthy of rank and regalia after conducting a daring rescue of a fallen hiker on the shoulder of Yosemite’s Half Dome.

Capt. Joshua Haveman, 60th Air Evacuation Squadron, was hiking the famous peak in September when he saw a climber slip in wet conditions and fall perhaps as many as 80 feet down onto a precarious ledge.

Haveman and the other hiker were at a section of the hike where, to pass up solid granite, a series of cables embedded into the rock are necessary for safety and leverage. If they don’t have a harness, rope, and carabiners to secure themselves to the cables, hikers are left simply holding onto or using them as handholds.

Without hesitation, Haveman took action. Faced with harsh winds, slippery rock, and hail, he made a decision to venture outside the permanent cable barriers to reach the fallen climber, Travis Air Force Base wrote in a statement.

His climbing experience and extensive medical training proved invaluable in this life-or-death situation.

“You could see that his legs were not naturally oriented at all, so I started collecting sticks from Sub Dome and started climbing,” Haveman recalled. “Other climbers were concerned for my safety, but the guy was just up there screaming in pain, so I left the cable area and climbed on the ledge.”

Half Dome, Yosemite -credit Travis AFB

Using makeshift splints fashioned from sticks, Haveman provided crucial first aid to the injured climber by securing above and below the tibia/fibula fracture and wrapping his injured ankle with an ace bandage he had in a medical kit he had brought.

To shield the climber from the harsh elements and apparent shock, Haveman covered the climber with his jacket while organizing a call to search and rescue.

“After about 45 minutes, the Park Ranger emergency medical technician came up with a full medical bag, so we were able to use a structural aluminum malleable splint to better stabilize him,” Haveman explained.

“The weather was improving, so more climbers were able to come up and offer their assistance. They took up a collection of supplies that we were able to use to make an improvised pulley system to lower him the 30 feet down to sub dome.”

Ultimately, the climber was medically evacuated via helicopter, receiving the critical medical attention they urgently required. Without Haveman’s swift and selfless actions, the outcome could have been far more tragic.

“I wasn’t sure a helicopter would be able to land with the winds being as strong as they were, so we were preparing to carry him 10 or 12 hours down with a six-man litter,” Haveman said with a pause.

“Apparently, it was this pilot’s first day on the job, and he was amazing! It took him about 15 minutes, but he was able to sit the chopper down, and we were able to get the patient loaded and breathe a sigh of relief.”

It’s safe to say on behalf of the injured climber and everyone else in the country things can only go so wrong when we have people like Capt. Haveman working and walking among us; his bravery and ingenuity are a credit to the Force and the country at large.

The good news here is that Captain. Haveman was in the right place at the right time to save this man’s life. Today’s JohnKu talks about coincidence. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Fate by John W. Howell © 2023

When events collide,

Maybe it’s coincidence . . .

Or the hand of fate.

75 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF Fri-Yay/Good News.”

  1. Holy smokes Boss, what a story!

    Captain Haveman was and is the right man for the job. Any job. Just looking at that terrain and then considering the conditions he had to work with and the situation he was faced with and nope, no hesitation whatsoever. In his mind, it was go time and there was no turning back.

    That’s how heroes think.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. This is an incredible story, John. Thank you so much for sharing Captain Haveman’s incredible heroism. The fate of that climber would not have been so positive.
    Happy Friday!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Wonderful story, John! And God bless our military!! (These folks, in particular.) Thank you for lifting my spirits today, and reminding me that there are still heroes in the world. (They also serve who remember to spread the word, you know!)
    😀 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I love your JohnKu! It was certainly fate that Haveman was there that day. And a huge shout-out to the chopper pilot too–first day on the job yet! People working together for others is what it’s all about!

    Like

  16. Wonderful account, John. One of my sons was a rock climber until he hurt his shoulder. I’d shudder when I’d hear stories such as this. Thank goodness for the dedication and response of heroes like Captain Haveman. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Wow. Having hiked part way up Half Dome, I don’t think I’d have that kind of courage. Even in good conditions, the climb is daunting. It’s great that it all worked out. A hero continues his heroism. I think it must be nature. Thanks for the good news!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Chance or fate certainly fortunate for this fellow to have this courageous hero in the right place . Heroism is not dead by any means.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. “coincidence . . .

    Or the hand of fate.” I don’t know.
    But it was a rescue, and Haveman is a hero.I just love heroes.
    Thanks for the good news, John!
    📰 ….. 🤗ẍ

    Liked by 2 people

  27. Pingback: Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF Fri-Yay/Good News. – Human Trafficking Survivor; God and Country, Without God There is No Country/ Judeo-Christian / America Belongs to God

Comments are closed.