Crushed Beneath a Boulder | E211

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Stories Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount the extraordinary tale of Kevin DePaolo, a 26-year-old adventurer from New York who finds himself pinned under a massive boulder in the Eastern California desert. Struggling with excruciating pain and the imminent threat of bleeding out, DePaolo's survival hinges on the quick thinking of his friend Josh Nelson, a network of rescue teams, and a daring nighttime helicopter extraction. Through a detailed narrative, listeners will experience the intense moments of fear, desperation, and incredible teamwork that ultimately saved Kevin's life. This episode not only highlights the importance of emergency preparedness but also underscores the power of friendship and human resilience in the face of life-threatening challenges.

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Meet the Hosts

01:09 Setting the Scene

01:41 The Accident Strikes

03:22 Immediate Aftermath and First Aid

05:42 Rescue Efforts Begin

12:22 Search and Rescue Team Mobilizes

16:44 Nighttime Rescue Operation

26:02 Medical Treatment and Recovery

27:14 Reflection and Gratitude

30:25 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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Sources

1. SF Gate - "'I'm going to die': Hiker recounts harrowing rescue in California mountains"

• URL: https://www.sfgate.com/california-news/article/california-hiker-rescue-inyo-mountains-boulder-18560172.php
• Date: December 18, 2023
• Details: Interview with Kevin DePalo and his mother Ann, comprehensive account

2. SF Chronicle - "A daring rescue to save an injured hiker in the California wilderness"

• URL: https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/california-mountains-rock-18549703.php
• Date: December 17, 2023
• Details: Detailed rescue operation, named SAR members (Tim, Matt, Dan, Isaac), technical details of pulley system

3. Reader's Digest - "Between a Rock and a Hard Place"

• URL: https://www.readersdigest.in/true-stories/story-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-127875
• Date: January 20, 2025
• Details: Most comprehensive narrative, confirms Corporal Victor Lawson as SAR coordinator, detailed timeline

4. KMPH/KSEE (Fresno) - "Hiker crushed by boulder recovering at Fresno hospital"

• URL: https://kmph.com/news/local/hiker-crushed-by-boulder-recovering-at-fresno-hospital-inyo-sar-search-rescue
• Date: December 18, 2023
• Details: Video interview with DePalo at Community Regional Medical Center

5. ABC30 (Fresno) - "A daring rescue to save an injured hiker in the California wilderness"

• URL: https://abc30.com/videoClip/hiker-hiking-rescue-survival/14738335/
• Date: April 30, 2024
• Details: Follow-up story with Navy rescue details, HM2 Matthew Rector identified as medical tech

6. New York Times/Spokesman-Review - "Hiker pinned under boulder for 10 hours: 'I'm going to die up here'"

• URL: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/dec/16/hiker-pinned-under-boulder-for-10-hours-im-going-t/
• Date: December 16, 2023
• Details: First major interview with DePalo

7. Active NorCal - "'I'm Going to Die Up Here': Hiker Recounts Harrowing 10-Hours Trapped"

• URL: https://www.activenorcal.com/im-going-to-die-up-here-hiker-recounts-harrowing-10-hours-trapped-under-a-boulder-in-inyo-mountains/
• Date: December 19, 2023

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