National Forest Service Smokejumpers were conducting a training exercise when one of the jumpers was blown off course by strong winds from an incoming thunderstorm.

The smokejumper suffered a significant leg injury when they experienced a hard landing in a thickly wooded area nearly a mile inside the west boundary of Yellowstone National Park 7 miles north of West Yellowstone.

Rescuers responded to the scene on foot with a one-wheeled litter, provided critical care and packaged the patient for transport. Due to the nature and severity of the injury, an Idaho Air Methods helicopter was dispatched and able to land a short distance from the patient. The patient was then transported to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank responders from all the agencies who assisted in quickly locating and providing care to the patient and wishes the injured smokejumper a speedy recovery.