National Guard rescues boy from remote cabin

CAMP DENALI - The Alaska Air National Guard on Wednesday rescued a 15-year-old boy who was suffering from type-one diabetes insulin shock, airlifting him from a remote cabin on the Resurrection Pass Trail after his insulin pump failed.

The 11th Rescue Coordination Center received a call for assistance from Alaska State Troopers on Tuesday evening. The Alaska Air National Guard launched a 210th Rescue Squadron ★★-60 Pave Hawk with 212th Rescue Squadron Pararescuemen onboard from Kulis Air National Guard Base at 8:40 p.m.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., the Pave Hawk arrived on scene and lowered pararescueman Tech. Sgt. Leo Claunan and pararescueman team leader Staff Sgt. Zach Kline, the primary medic, by Stokes litter to assess the situation.

Claunan and Kline located the boy, his father and his brother at a cabin on the east side of Swan Lake, 15 miles from the Resurrection Pass trailhead. Kline provided emergency medical treatment the boy, who was then transported with his family to Providence Medical Center where he was released to hospital staff in stable condition.

"They were fortunate enough to be able to use the satellite-phone of a hiker passing by to call for assistance," said Claunan. "They made the right decision and were smart to seek help early rather than later when things could have been much worse."