Ed Mongin, 81, of Coleman, Wisconsin, was hunting with a group of 10 others on federal land in Iron County, Michigan, on November 17 when a treetop fell on him and struck him in the head, causing grave injuries.
The hunting party, all from Wisconsin except one from Colorado, was familiar with the area and kept in touch by radio.
When Mongin failed to respond to attempts to contact him, the group went to the hunting site and found part of a tree there that had been blown down by the wind.
Difficult recovery
Alex VanWagner, an environmental conservation officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Kyle Romzek, an environmental conservation intern, received a call from field dispatchers about an injured hunter.
Officers met a member of the hunting party north of Smoky Lake Road, east of Pendleton Creek, who led them about 1 mile into the woods to where Mongin was located.
Mongin was able to say that he believed he was paralyzed and that he could not be moved.
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VanWagner and Romzek determined the ambulance would not be able to navigate the muddy, swampy terrain.
The two officers met with emergency medical personnel from Aspirus Iron River Hospital on Smoky Lake Road and transported them and their medical equipment in the bed of a DNR patrol car to Mongin’s location.
Members of the hunting party cut down trees to make a path.
Paramedics and police provided first aid to Mongin at the scene for head injuries and possible spinal injuries, then safely placed him on a spine board and then into the back of a police car.
Once on the main road, VanWagner led the ambulance so the two paramedics could attend to Mongin while Romzek followed behind in the DNR patrol car.
Mongin was later transported by EMS MedEvac helicopter from Aspirus Iron River Hospital to a hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, for further treatment.
Regaining mobility
Doctors originally told Mongin’s family that he was lucky to survive and that he likely would not walk again after head and spine surgery.
A few days later, VanWagner contacted family members who reported that Mongin had regained movement in all his limbs, was standing for the first time and was able to talk.
Doctors described his recovery as a “miracle.”
“Our camp members would like to thank VanWagner and Romzek for their efforts and professionalism,” Mike Kinziger of Pound, Wis., told the DNR in an email. “They responded very quickly to a remote location. Not only did they work with several members of the hunting party in a somewhat chaotic and stressful situation, but they also worked hand in hand [sic] with two paramedics from Iron River.”
Physiotherapy has started
Mongin has already begun physical rehabilitation and therapy.
VanWagner has been a conservation officer since 2020 and patrols Iron County. Romzek was hired by the DNR in September and is a probationary conservation officer who receives field training at various locations around the state.
Michigan Environmental Protection Officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide conservation of natural resources, maintain safety during recreation, and protect residents through general law enforcement and emergency operations in the communities they serve.
