OSAGE COUNTY — On Saturday, an unnamed adult male patient was rescued from the Smokey Waters Conservation Area following a coordinated multi-agency response.

At about 2:30 p.m., Osage County 911 received a call reporting a man had sustained injuries after falling down a steep embankment and landing near the bank of the Missouri River.

EMS Chief Joshua A. Krull noted that rescuers and bystanders initially contacted 911 by land, but due to the thick woods, steep embankment and rough terrain a land rescue would have been much more difficult.

Emergency crews determined that a water approach would provide the best access to the patient, and quickly mobilized. Boats from the Osage Fire Protection District, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri Department of Conservation converged at the scene, and were joined by a crew from the Osage Ambulance District.

Krull said the use of “What3words” technology was instrumental in helping responders quickly identify the patient’s exact location. “That significantly improved our response time in a challenging, remote environment,” he added. “Dispatchers did a great job using the technology to find exactly where the patient was.’

Through strong teamwork and coordination, responders were able to safely access, rescue, and transport the patient to waiting Osage EMS crews for transport to a trauma center. He was transported in stable condition.