AP via Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept.
Search & rescue officer David Vanbuskirk, 36, died last night, when he fell during the helicopter rescue of a stranded hiker outside of Las Vegas.
By Hannah Dreier, The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS ? A Las Vegas police officer, who was rescuing a hiker stranded in an off-limits area of a mountain northwest of the city, died after falling from a helicopter hoist line Monday night.
At an emotional news conference Tuesday, police offered details about the accident that killed search and rescue officer David Vanbuskirk, 36, at Mount Charleston.
"We're a big family, a close family, and this is going to be trying on us for quite a while," Las Vegas police Assistant Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters shortly after the accident. "We will survive it. We'll come back together, and hopefully in my lifetime, it will never happen again."
Rescuers responded shortly before 9 p.m. to reports that a hiker was disoriented and stranded on a rocky ledge just above Mary Jane Falls. The area was marked with signs warning hikers to stay out or face fines, according to Jay Nichols, spokesman for Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
Compounding the issue, a wildfire now entering its third week has been burning in the area, and park workers have closed some trails in the interest of public safety.
After landing, Vanbuskirk attached a safety harness to the stranded man, who was hiking alone. He signaled to the four rescue workers in the helicopter above to hoist them both up from the craggy ledge, but then Vanbuskirk somehow detached from the line in midair and fell a "non-survivable" distance to the ground below, officials said.
The hiker was safely rescued and is being interviewed, police said.
The mood was somber among officers, who have not lost one of their own in the line of duty since 2009. Officers Tuesday wore black bands over their badges in honor of their fallen comrade.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other agencies are investigating.
Julie Jacobson, AP
Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie gives details about the death of Las Vegas Metropolitan search and rescue police officer David Vanbuskirk during a news conference on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Vanbuskirk grew up in the Las Vegas area, was married and lived in Henderson. He had worked for the department since 1999, and had served on the search and rescue team since 2007.
Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said Vanbuskirk had performed "dozens" of rescues like the one that killed him Monday. Las Vegas rescue workers have completed 130 helicopter rescues in the past 12 months.
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said Vanbuskirk's death was "a tragic reminder of the dangers our first responders are exposed to on a daily basis."
"His service to his community, state, and country will not be forgotten," Sandoval said in a statement.
On Twitter, U.S. Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada called Vanbuskirk a hero.
Others in the police department also praised him.
"He was an exceptionally fine officer," police spokesman Bill Cassell said.
? 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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