Ski patrol one of two trauma response teams to be recognized

TANNERSVILLE, Pa. – Camelback Ski Patrol, and seven ski patrollers in particular, were honored at St. Luke’s University Health Network’s 9th Annual Night of Heroes Celebration at the Steel Stacks Arts Quest Center, Bethlehem, Pa. The patrollers are were recognized for their response to a trauma incident at Camelback Mountain Resort in March 2012, and their subsequent evacuation of the individual to the trauma unit at St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Fifteen minutes before the close of the 2011/2012 winter season at Camelback, ski patrollers responded to a report of an injured individual in the terrain park. When patrollers arrived on scene, they found the individual in a severe state of trauma.

“Camelback’s Ski Patrol has an established trauma response system that allowed us to spring to action,” says Jack Bogdon, Ski Patrol Director at Camelback Mountain Resort. “We were able to stabilize the individual, assess his injuries, transport him down the slopes and have him evacuated via helicopter to the trauma unit at St. Luke’s during a time period when every moment is critical.”

At St. Luke’s, the individual was diagnosed with a T-6 fracture of the spine. Through intensive therapy, he eventually regained mobility. He is currently enrolled as a freshman at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and has even spent some time back on the slopes last season.

“St. Luke’s attends to 2,400 trauma cases annually,” according to the St. Luke’s Trauma Center Administrator. “This incident was one of two in 2012 selected to be honored for its remarkable circumstances. The Camelback Ski Patrol response was the first step in a chain of care that supported the individual through his recovery.”

The seven Camelback ski patrollers recognized are Ben Croasdale, Ed Eccker, Dan Kerr, Cassie Mayberry, Nancy Mayberry, Rich Palmer and Fred Tim.

“We’re incredibly proud of our ski patrollers,” said Charles Blier, EVP/GM at Camelback Mountain Resort. “We thank St. Luke’s for this recognition, and emphasize our commitment to offer the highest quality conditions, service and safety we can provide to Camelback’s skiers and snowboarders.”

About Camelback Mountain Resort
Camelback Mountain Resort, serving almost 1 million visitors every year, has been voted the top winter resort in the state of Pennsylvania by Snow East Magazine every year since 2009. Boasting 37 trails, 15 lifts, 100% snowmaking and 100% of the trails illuminated for night skiing and snowboarding, Camelback is only 90 minutes from New York City and two hours from Philadelphia. Camelback Mountain Resort includes Camelbeach, the largest waterpark in the state of Pennsylvania with over 37 rides, slides and attractions; and CBK Mountain Adventures, the largest TreeTops Adventure Park in the state of Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.skicamelback.com, www.camelbeach.com or www.CBKMountainAdventures.com.