A California man hiking on Perseverance Trail died Friday after falling and striking his head on a rock, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.
Anthony Michael Medina, 36, died from head trauma while out hiking Perseverance Trail with a friend from Juneau, said CCFR Deputy Chief Travis Mead in a phone interview.
“Him (Medina) and his friend were hiking downhill towards to the end of Perseverance Trail near the Last Chance Basin,” Mead said. “They were glissading a snow patch. The victim ended up sliding off the snow patch, fell onto some rocks below and sustained a head injury that was fatal.”
The other hiker with Medina ran back up the trail to find someone with a phone to call 911. The Alaska State Troopers and CCFR were notified, Mead said. With the remoteness of the accident site, and initial uncertainty about the location of the victim, it took time to scramble responders, Mead said. Paramedics from CCFR and volunteers from Juneau Mountain Rescue, riding in a Temsco helicopter, recovered Medina and transported him to Bartlett Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“It was a mutual-agency response. The (Alaska State) Troopers were involved, JMR was involved,” Mead said. “It was a major time saver getting in there with a helicopter.”
The name of the other man, a Juneau resident, was not released, said JPD Lt. Krag Campbell in an email. Medina’s next of kin has been notified.
“Alaska is a very wild place,” Mead said. “Always stay alert while recreating.”
This is a developing story and more information will be added as it comes available.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or lockett@juneauempire.com.
