Chelan County Sheriff(CCSD) - Sheriff Mike Harum reports on August 6th, at 1411 hours, RiverCom Communication Center received a 911 call reference an ATV rollover injury accident on Scotty Creek Road, off US 97 Highway, in the Blewett Pass area.  The 911 call originated from the Ingall’s Creek Convenience Store, 3057 US 97.  Deputies contacted the reporting party who led deputies to the ATV accident scene.  Don Zetzschee, 65 years old from Ronald, WA had rolled his ATV and was literally lying in Gold Creek waterway with a torn femoral artery.  Zetzschee had been trying to maneuver his ATV around a “washout” area when the 2003 Polaris Quad ATV rolled, crushing him.  His handlebars punctured his groin area and severed his femoral artery.

Upon arrival at the Shazer Creek North Trailhead where the subjects had departed from, deputies learned an unrelated subject camping in the area had taken a first aid kit to the victim.  Zetzchee’s brother (also riding an ATV) and the camper who responded with his first aid kit, applied pressure and a homemade tourniquet which slowed the bleeding enough that he was still conscious when Medics arrived.

Three Cascade Para-Medics and three Chelan County Sheriff’s Office ORV deputies rode in on County ATV’s approximately 11 miles to the accident scene

Due to the severe injury to his femoral artery and possible, multiple hip fractures, AIRLIFT Northwest helicopter was requested.  Nearly 3 hours later, at 1649 hours, AIRLIFT NW was able to land within 50 yards of the victim on a very narrow landing zone.  The victim was stabilized and flown to Harbor View Medical Center where a Specialized Vascular Team was waiting.  Zetzchee’s current condition is unknown. Cascade Medics stated without the rapid first aid Zetzschee received from his brother and a nearby camper, his condition could have been much worse

The ATV riders rode up Scotty Creek Road onto Shazer Creek Road, then off Shazer Creek Road and traveled nearly 11 miles up an established ATV trail on a recreational, leisure ride.  The accident occurred near GPS Coordinates N47. 24. 697//W120. 44. 172

Additional accident information will be released as it becomes available.