Nathan Hammond helped rescue Lori R. Walker from burning, Heber City, Utah, February 15, 2019. Walker, 37, arriving at her family’s vacation home with her children, smelled a strong odor of propane gas outside the home and entered to investigate. As Walker entered the basement a powerful explosion occurred, during which she was pinned by a collapsed floor and debris. A neighbor, who was an off-duty firefighter, responded and entered the log home to search for Walker. Not finding Walker, but hearing her call for help from below him, the firefighter exited the garage, as the upper floors began to burn. Two neighbors, including a river guide, and Hammond, 34, general contractor, had, by then, also responded to the scene. The men waded through deep snow to the rear of the structure where Hammond and the river guide entered a blown out window opening which they immediately entered to access the basement. Guided only by their cellphone flashlights, Hammond and the river guide searched for Walker, who was ultimately discovered by Hammond beneath debris. Flames had grown and spread to engulf the floors above them and fiery debris fell into the basement. Hammond, joined by the firefighter and contractor amid deteriorating conditions, removed debris, freeing Walker’s foot and allowing the river guide to pull her leg free. After Hammond and the river guide aided Walker into an upright position, the firefighter placed Walker over his shoulder, and carried her back through the heavily damaged basement to the window opening, following Hammond and the guide. Walker was removed through the window opening and the men, using the guide’s coat as a sling to carry Walker, moved her through the deep snow to arriving firefighters and paramedics. The home was shortly engulfed by flames. Walker was treated at a hospital for burns to about one third of her body, broken bones, and serious injuries to her right leg and ankle; she continued to recover. Hammond and the river guide received oxygen at the scene but were not otherwise injured and recovered.
91008 – 10232
91008-10232