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Airmen honored for rescuing pregnant woman, others from flash flood at Zion while hiking

By Chris Williams
Published  August 28, 2024 5:00pm CDT
Military
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Airmen rescue group, including pregnant woman, from flash flood

A group of airmen heroically saved a group of people, including a pregnant woman, during a flash flood at Zion National Park in Utah.

The Brief 

    • U.S. Air Force Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base rescued four hikers, including a pregnant woman, from a flash flood at Zion National Park.
    • The airmen spotted the woman floating lifeless in the river and successfully pulled her to safety before locating her hiking companions.
    • The group formed a human chain to help an injured man cross the river.

ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah - A group of U.S. Air Force Airmen were recently recognized for their heroism after rescuing four hikers, including a pregnant woman, from a flash flood at Zion National Park in Utah. 

The military men, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, were also on a hike at the national park earlier this month. 

Airman 1st Classes Will Martin, Dmarqus Norman, Maximos Olade, Jacob Stillwell, and Rony Lopez-Aguilar, plus Airmen Andres Parra and Christian Reyes were hiking along a popular trail when Martin noticed the river quickly rising, a sign of flash flooding. 

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The airmen made their way to higher ground but then spotted a woman "floating on her back who appeared battered, blue, and lifeless," according to military officials. 

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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Gascon, the 857th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron senior enlisted leader, delivers opening remarks during a coining ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Aug. 26, 2024. Seven Airmen are being honored with a coin for their heroic actions in saving a life while hiking at Zion National Park, exemplifying the Air Force's core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro)

Norman got in the water and pulled the woman to shore. Auhtoriies said she was barely responsive for an hour as the airmen tried to call for first responders. 

When rescuers arrived, they asked the airmen and the woman to move to a location where an air evacuation was possible. 

During the trek, the woman revealed that she was pregnant and had been traveling with three other people, including her husband. 

The airmen found the rest of her hiking group, including another man who had an injured knee but was on the opposite side of the river. 

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The airmen then formed a human chain to get the injured man to cross the river, bringing everyone to a location for an air evacuation. 

"I am incredibly proud our Airmen," Maj. James E. Oltman III, 857th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, said in a news release. "We often talk to our Airmen about the choices they have to either watch or intervene when they come across a situation. These brand-new Airmen chose to act, which ultimately saved a life as a result. Their actions speak volumes about their character and the values we strive for within the unit. I am proud to have them on our team."

The Source

  • The details in this story were provided from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada with video from Airmen Christian Reyes. This story was reported from Los Angeles.