Outdoors/Adventure

Heli-ski operator tapped to assist in rescue of injured Valdez snowmachiner

A seriously injured snowmachiner was rescued from mountainous terrain in Thompson Pass on Saturday by a backcountry heli-ski service helicopter and medics from the Valdez Fire Department.

At 4:25 p.m. on Saturday Alaska State Troopers received a report of an injured snowmachiner about a mile east of Mile 35 of the Richardson Highway, the Alaska State Troopers said in an online dispatch.

"Due to the rugged terrain and the subject's injuries a backcountry heli-ski service helicopter based near the incident location was utilized to fly Valdez Fire Department medics to the scene," the dispatch said.

Troopers didn't identify the private helicopter operator.

Andrew Doherty, 29, of Valdez, was flown to Providence Medical Center in Valdez.

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