Chaffee County Search and Rescue-South (CCSAR-S) assisted a Salida man after he fell while mountain biking on the Monarch Crest trail Saturday.  Barry Blocker, Salida, used his In Reach Satellite communicator to contact Chaffee County Communications Center at about 10:00am to report that his friend, Ramsey Lama, 32, had fallen near the Greens Creek trail intersection with the Monarch Crest trail and suffered an unstable neck injury. 

CCSAR-S mobilized with 7 rescuers.  A party of SAR members on two trail motorcycles made contact with Lama just north of the Greens Creek shelter.  After medical attention it was determined that his injuries were severe enough to require transport by helicopter.  Lama was flown from the Crest by Flight for Life at about 2:00pm Saturday afternoon and transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood.                                     

CCSAR-S would like to remind everyone that the monsoon season has started and it is especially important to finish your hike or ride early in the day to avoid thunderstorms.  Don’t forget to pack rain gear and plenty of food and water.   More information on what to bring can be found at http://chaffeesarsouth.org.