Alaska Man Survives Three Hours Pinned by 700-Pound Boulder

Kell Morris, a 61-year-old hiker from Alaska, survived being pinned facedown in an icy creek by a 700-pound boulder for three hours with only minor injuries, crediting his wife Jo Roop and a series of fortunate events for his survival. During a hike near Godwin Glacier on a remote and rocky trail, Morris was caught in a landslide that caused the boulder to trap him in the creek, where his wife held his head above water to prevent drowning while seeking help. Roop, a retired Alaska State Trooper, managed to find cell service to call 911, and a dog sled tourism company overheard the distress call and volunteered a helicopter to transport rescuers to the difficult-to-access site. Rescuers used inflatable airbags, ropes, and brute force to lift the boulder off Morris, who was hypothermic and in and out of consciousness but stabilized after being pulled from the water. Morris described his luck in the ordeal, noting the support of his wife and the quick response by rescue teams who overcame challenging terrain to save him. The incident highlights both the dangers of hiking in glacial boulder fields and the critical role of preparedness, quick thinking, and community aid in wilderness rescues.