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Cochran Gulch Fire Smokejumper Accident Fatality 1961

  • Location:

    Montana

  • Date:

    07/08/1961

  • Incident Type:

    Smokejumping Incident

  • Description:

    Dale Swedeen, Missoula Smokejumper, broke his back when he oscillated into a rock on his first fire jump on the Cochran Gulch Fire, Helena National Forest, Montana, July 8, 1961. The accident rendered him a paraplegic, and he died 31 years later of complications from that accident, at the age of 53.

    The above information is from the National Smokejumper Association.

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