Woman recovering from fall at Camas park

A 48-year-old Vancouver woman who broke her ankle in a fall while hiking in Lacamas Park in Camas on Monday afternoon is recovering in a local hospital.

Alevtina Yukhimets, who initially was listed in serious condition at Southwest Washington Medical Center, had improved to satisfactory condition Wednesday night, a nursing supervisor said.

In a steep, rugged area known as the upper Pot Holes, she fell about 15 feet, officials said.

Two firefighter-paramedics with the Camas Fire Department were first to arrive, and, with the help of Yukhimets’ family members, stabilized her on a backboard, bound her broken bones with vacuum splints and prepared her to be carried up to Round Lake and a waiting ambulance.

As many as 20 rescuers worked at the scene, including specially trained members of the Technical Rescue Team of the Vancouver Fire Department and Fire District 6.

Round Lake is accessed at Everett Street and Lake Road. Lacamas Park has 311 acres with a restroom, parking area and a picnic shelter. Trails lead around the lake and below it to the Pot Holes, with waterfalls and pools that are popular with swimmers in summer.