Harrison Ford’s Daring Helicopter Rescue—Why He Won’t Do It Again
Inside Harrison Ford’s epic helicopter rescue: Why he refuses to do it again
Harrison Ford has always been someone I’ve admired, but after learning this little-known fact about him, I can’t help but love him even more.
sought safety in a tiny cave.
Like any other Boy Scout, 13-year-old Cody Clawson went into the wilderness of Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 2001. He was self-assured and prepared to face the outdoors.
However, something went awry as the hours went by. Cody became hopelessly lost in the park’s isolated forest.
As the young scout wandered across the harsh terrain, he quickly knew he was in over his head. Cody had no actual survival gear, only a t-shirt, sandals, and shorts. He sought momentary respite in a small cave as the winds howled and the chilly rain poured.
Eventually, he dozed off.
That night, it sleeted and poured. “It was quite frightening,” he subsequently recalled.
He was awakened after a few hours by the distinct sound of helicopter rotor blades slicing through the sky above him.
Cody knew he had his opportunity. In an attempt to attract the pilot’s notice, he swiftly ripped off his belt and used the buckle to reflect the sunlight.
Cody subsequently told ABC News, “I started looking for an open place that I could signal them.”
The helicopter suddenly descended, and Cody caught a glimpse of the pilot.
At the controls was none other than the legendary Harrison Ford of Hollywood. He had offered his services and helicopter to assist in finding Clawson.
Extremely fatigued, hungry, and cold
The seven-decade-long career of the prolific performer was initially unknown to Cody. But a second later, he recognized the person who had come to his rescue.
He reminded me so much of Han Solo from Star Wars by the way he said [hello].” Then I thought, “Oh my God, I just got saved by Han Solo.” How awesome is that?
Ford, who loved flying helicopters, lived in Jackson, Wyoming, at the time.
Cody, who was exhausted and quite cold when he was discovered, explained that his encounter with Ford changed the way he thought about celebrities. Cody discovered a different side of stars in a society that frequently depicts them as far-off, untouchable entities.
I now view stars differently as a result of what he did. There are nice, giving people out there, despite the fact that they are commonly regarded as snooty,” he remarked.
Ford and his co-pilot landed, made sure Cody was safe, and then took him to a search and rescue center. Although it was a swift and effective rescue, Cody will never forget it.
Harrison Ford approached me as we touched down and remarked, “Boy, you really must have earned a merit badge for this one.” However, he laughed when I told him that I had already obtained this badge the previous summer.
Another hiker was saved by Harrison Ford.
When Cody later shared his encounter with his buddies, they were astounded by what he had seen. They inquired as to whether he had a signature from Ford. “No, but I got a hug and a handshake, and that’s better,” Cody said with a smile.
Harrison Ford had previously stepped in to assist in the rescue of stranded hikers in Yellowstone. Ford took his chopper into the backcountry in 2000 to help with an audacious rescue. He rescued Sarah George, an Idaho Falls hiker who had scaled Teton County’s majestic 11,106-foot Table Mountain.
She was unable to descend due to altitude sickness. According to a Democrat and Chronicle article, Ford quickly swooped in, plucked her off the mountain, and flew her to safety at a local hospital.
“Well,” Ford said, “we once picked up this woman who was hypothermic on the mountain.” “She didn’t recognize me until the following day, but she puked in my cowboy hat.”
He had on a cowboy hat and a T-shirt. Following the rescue, Sarah George told ABC News, “He didn’t look like I’d ever seen him before.” “It’s unbelievable that I vomited in Harrison Ford’s helicopter.”
Harrison Ford’s reasons for ceasing to rescue hikers
The 2001 incident was as more than just a celebrity sighting for Cody; it served as a reminder that sometimes the true heroes are those who don’t chase limelight.
When reflecting on his valiant deeds, Harrison Ford himself wasn’t entirely at ease with the subsequent media spotlight. Ford never welcomed the limelight, even though he was praised as a hero both times. He no longer takes part in these rescue operations today.
“We would be fortunate enough to find someone, and then they would be on Good Morning America talking about ‘a hero pilot,’ so I stopped doing it,” he added. It’s not at all like that.
It requires teamwork. That’s a lame way to look at it.
