Cellphone Saves Snowboarder From Tree Well

James Drummond, of Redding, California was riding Mt. Shasta with his helmet camera rolling when he tripped up and went headfirst into a tree well on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Drummond was stuck upside down in the well for over a half hour before a cellphone call from his wife saved his life, according to a story on KRCRTV.com.

At first, I thought it was just a stumble,” said Drummond. “I went and put my hands out in front of me and when my hands touched the snow, it was like there was a false bottom.” . . .As Drummond struggled to make an airway, he says he was able to reach his cell phone. Just then, he says his wife miraculously called him as he was trying to call her. . . Leanne Drummond – James’ wife – then called the Ski Patrol, who then called the trapped snowboarder to help keep him calm.

Rescue crews were able to locate Drummond in about a half an hour. Drummond said he thought several times of Alexander Gautreaux, 23, a snowboarder who died on February 17, 2011 after falling into a similar well. Click the link to watch the video of a white powder run that goes all black.

[Link: KRCRTV.com]