General Discussion

dbackjon

(6,578 posts) Tue Jul 23, 2013, 05:46 PM Jul 2013

Las Vegas Police Officer Dies During Rescue Attempt

A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer died while attempting to rescue a hiker on Mount Charleston Monday night.

Search and Rescue Officer David Vanbuskirk was lowered from a helicopter down to a hiker above Mary Jane Falls, but became separated from the hiker during the rescue and fell off a cliff, according to KTNV-TV.

Vanbuskirk succumbed to the injuries sustained in the fall while the hiker was uninjured during the rescue.

The National Transportation Safety Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are currently investigating the incident.

http://www.officer.com/news/11044693/las-vegas-police-officer-dies-during-rescue-attempt

RIP - died serving the public, helping rescue a citizen.

10 replies

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Las Vegas Police Officer Dies During Rescue Attempt (Original Post) dbackjon Jul 2013 OP

We don't give these guys enough credit sometimes. For every bad one, there are lots of good ones. Hoyt Jul 2013 #1

Condolences to his family. enlightenment Jul 2013 #2

i know where you are coming from, but thats not what the deceased officer would want loli phabay Jul 2013 #4

I understand, logically, what you and Iggo enlightenment Jul 2013 #9

I'm with you. It's just like kids sacrificing their lives in war so rich assholes can get richer. valerief Jul 2013 #10

Officer Vanbuskirk rescued that hiker because he was worth rescuing. Iggo Jul 2013 #5

:( We lost a good one there. Triana Jul 2013 #3

Kick & recommended. William769 Jul 2013 #6

comments on Vegas papers made me sick medeak Jul 2013 #7

Sad. May his family find strength and peace. SunSeeker Jul 2013 #8

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)

1. We don't give these guys enough credit sometimes. For every bad one, there are lots of good ones.

Reply to dbackjon (Original post)

Tue Jul 23, 2013, 05:50 PM

Jul 2013

I had my fill of "authority" when I was in the school patrol, hoping to get a free trip to Washington. Lasted about a week -- I wasn't mean enough to enforce stupid rules, and the pretty girls looked at me like I was even nerdier than I am.

But, we'd be in a fix without the police and other public employees.

RIP

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)

2. Condolences to his family.

Reply to dbackjon (Original post)

Tue Jul 23, 2013, 06:08 PM

Jul 2013

Naturally, the idiot hiker was in an off-limits area. I hope he lives with this on his conscience every waking moment for the rest of his stupid, selfish life.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/las-vegas-officer-dies-during-hiker-rescue-mount-charleston

loli phabay

(5,580 posts)

4. i know where you are coming from, but thats not what the deceased officer would want

Reply to enlightenment (Reply #2)

Tue Jul 23, 2013, 06:12 PM

Jul 2013

Yes its a pain to do rescues and tragic when you get hurt or someone dies, but that is what people do. Putting yourself on the line everyday is what is done knowing that today may be the end of your watch, you still put on the vest, check your radio battery, spark your taser and check your weapons and hope to come home but knowing you may not.

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)

9. I understand, logically, what you and Iggo

Reply to loli phabay (Reply #4)

Tue Jul 23, 2013, 07:03 PM

Jul 2013

are saying, but I am tired of good people dying because people think they don't have to pay attention to "Danger - do not Enter" and "Off-Limits" and other warnings.

I know the S&R folks understand the risks - but I'm not a S&R person and I think the people who get into these situations because of their own stupidity should at the very least be named rather then protected by media anonymity. They suffer NO consequences for their poor decisions - and because they suffer no consequences, it leads the next selfish sod to the conclusion that the risk is worth taking.

I'm sick and tired of listening to cocky jerks crowing about how they "live their lives on the edge" and "court death" everyday - all the while knowing that their "dance with death" is being chaperoned by professionals who willingly risk their lives to save them when they get into trouble.

Let nature sort it out. If they're so experienced that they can get themselves into these situations, then they are experienced enough to get themselves out.

This hiker was in an off-limits area - it may have been an area recently closed off because of the fire on Mt Charleston. They've been discussing this on the news locally ever since the fire started - warning people off. There is no excuse for what this person did.

Sorry. I'm angry about this. Really.