With spring only a few months away, it’s time to begin gearing up for the field season. Once again, I’m pleased to announce an upcoming wilderness medical training here at SCA in NH. Please see our Trainings section for more information.
Don’t forget that SCA crew leaders can apply for training grants to help offset the course costs. Please contact Doug Caum (dcaum@thesca.org) for the Wilderness First Aid course.
I have some very sad news to share with you.
SCA learned late this afternoon that crew leader Willie Pettus passed away while leading a “leader crew” at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Middleboro, Kentucky.
Willie lost consciousness while working on a fencing project. A member of the SCA crew, responding EMTs, and eventually hospital staff did everything they could to revive him, without success.
Willie was a four time SCA crew leader, starting last summer at Crater Lake. In June of this year, he led a crew at Mammoth Cave and led another crew on the Blue Ridge Parkway in July. He had been leading a team of veteran SCA crew leaders at Cumberland Gap. Willie, a resident of Keysville, VA, was just 35.
SCA has been in contact with Willie’s parents; he had no spouse or siblings. We have also been in contact with Willie’s crew members and other SCA members at Cumberland Gap, as well as park staff, to whom we are grateful for providing care to the SCA members on site. At this time, several SCA staff members are on their way to Kentucky to support the family, our members and others affected by this terrible loss.
At the moment, we have no information on what may have prompted this situation. We are asking board and staff to be vigilant in following SCA incident protocols and please forward any media or other external inquiries to Kevin Hamilton, who is managing communications related to this incident. Kevin’s number is 603.543.1700 xt.185
I will provide you with updates as warranted. For now, our thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s family, loved ones and friends.
Dale M. Penny
SCA President and CEO