SAR RESCUES 26 YEAR-OLD INJURED CLIMBER AT HUECO TANKS STATE PARK
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938 
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Direct: (915) 538-2119
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Sunday, March 29, 2009 8:15 AM
WHO: EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (LOWER VALLEY PATROL / SEARCH & RESCUE TEAM - SAR)
WHAT: SAR RESCUES 26 year-old at Hueco Tanks State Park
WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 2009 2:40 PM
WHERE: 6900 Hueco Tanks - HUECO TANKS STAE PARK
WHY: RESCUE
HUECO TANKS STATE PARK- Saturday afternoon 03-28-09 at 2:40 PM, Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to 6900 Hueco Tanks Rd. - Hueco Tanks State Park in reference to an injured climber. Sheriff deputies arrived within minutes along with Park Rangers, Life Ambulance Medics & the Montana Vista volunteer Fire Dept.
Deputies arrived and we were advised by park rangers that a 26 year-old male injured his right ankle while hiking up the mountain & was unable to safely get down from the mountain on his own. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Team was activated for the rescue.
Initial information received indicates at about 1:30 PM, the climber was rock climbing when he came upon a small boulder in the mountain. The victim jumped to a rock that he described as a tank or crater. As the Victim landed, his right ankle rolled and he felt a pop. The Victim was in an area surrounded by 60 foot drops. EPCSO Search & Rescue Team arrived and tended to the Victim’s injury before helping him repel down to a safe flat surface. Once on the ground the Victim was assisted by Life ambulance.
The Victim was identified as 26 year-old Treffry Raxter of the 9200 block of N. Mesa El Paso, TX.
A couple of mountain climbing safety tips according to Search & Rescue Deputy SGT. Dan Watling:
- Always climb using proper equipment
- Climb during daytime hours
- Take the necessary survival items such as water, food, & a cell phone
(PHOTOS: Courtesy El Paso County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue)
END OF NEWS RELEASE
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.