Runner breaks ankle on remote trail, crawls eight hours to call 911
A runner in Washington state who broke his ankle on a remote trail over the weekend had to crawl eight hours before he could get a cell signal to call 911 for help, authorities and rescue workers said.
The man, 26, had been running on a trail near Olympic National Park, west of Seattle, on Friday afternoon when the injury occurred, Jefferson Search and Rescue said in a statement Sunday.
At the time, the man, who was not identified, was about 9 miles from the trailhead and without cell service, the group said.
He crawled for eight hours until he was able to call 911, the Coast Guard said in a news release.
Around 1 a.m. Saturday, authorities were dispatched to the park and found him about 4 miles from the trailhead, Jefferson Search and Rescue said.
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The man, who was wearing light clothing in subfreezing temperatures, was given first aid and taken by Coast Guard helicopter to a hospital.
The Coast Guard said he was stable.
