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Jensen Storm Survival:"He Didn't Panic"By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, February 16, 2007
Woodford, Vt. - A 41-year-old Egremeont man did all the right things to keep himself alive during a brutal, harrowing night spent outdoors during Wednesday's blizzard, according to Vermont State Police.
Walked Out
Neil Jensen of Prospect Lake Road walked out of the woods after more than 18 hours in the frigid winds and blinding snows. He was able to return to a motel where he and three companions had arranged accomodations earlier in the week.
At a different location, and as Jensen found his way to warmth, Vermont State Police prepared to a resume a search that had been halted Wednesday evening due to severe weather conditions, said VSP Capt. David Covello.
When notified that Jensen had returned to the motel, police stopped search efforts and interviewed Jensen. He was taken to Southwest Vermont Medical Center for evaluation. Jensen was released later in the day.
"It Was Grueling"
Speaking late yesterday morning, Jensen's wife Erika said she was not notified that her husband was missing until 5 p.m. Wednesday evening. Jensen's friends reported him missing to police at about 12:30 p.m., after Jensen became separated from them about one hour earlier.
Erika Jensen said she had heard from her husband and that she was very relieved that he had been located and was in good condition.
"It was a long, long night," she said. "It was grueling."
During the time her husband was missing, Erika Jensen said she was plagued with thoughts of what had happened to him and imagined scenarios that prevented him from escaping the woods, such as injury.
A neighbor of the couple is employed at the food services department of SVMC and Erika Jensen said the individual spoke with her yesterday as well.
"They called and said 'I just fed your husband breakfast and he's all right,'" she said, and added that the conversation helped ease her worries.
Stay Put
Covello said that Neil Jensen remained calm and acted in a manner that very likely saved his life.
After he separated from his companions, Neil Jensen's snowmobile became stuck in the heavy deep snow, police said. Jensen stayed with the snowmobile throughout the night and from time to time, he started the machine's engine to generate warmth. When daylight returned, he was able to walk out of the woods, police said.
"He was dressed appropriately for the elements," Covell said. "The most important thing he did is that he didn't panic. He did not go wandering off. He waited until the storm passed and visibility improved. That night, being off the trail with poor visibility, he knew he needed to stay put."
Erika Jensen said that after they learned of the situation, several experienced Egremont area snowmobile enthusiasts assembled a search team and planned to join any search effort.
"To think I don't really know these people and they were going out there...everybody from down here has my gratitude," she said.
Search Dog Considered
Covello said that when weather conditions are extreme, searches generate tremendous concern for the person being sought as well as those conducting the search. Extreme weather searches require a methodical approach to be effective and reduce risk to human life, he said.
The use of a specially-trained search dog was considered but only as a last resort, Covell said.
"We knew it would be extremely difficult for a dog, especially given the weather conditions and the depth of the snow," he said. |
| This guy was lucky but it shows how important it is to keep your head in a bad situation. Nice job telling this story; glad Mr. Jensen survived. | | from: Doug B | on: 02-22-2007 12:00AM
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| What an idiot to head out into the wilderness with an impending winter storm approaching. I guess it is too much for some people to look at the upcoming weather forecast. For common senseless people like this that agencies have to respond to save, these "Einsteins" should be billed for the responding agencies manpower costs. Maybe this will teach these people a lesson about their common senseless ways and not waste the time of the Police, Fire and search and rescue agencies. | | from: Comment | on: 02-23-2007 12:00AM
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