Grygla man is airlifted after fall from ladder

The Grygla Fire & Rescue department was dispatched at approximately 9:30am on Friday, March 31st, to 63357 Caramel Road NW in response to a male victim that had fallen from a ladder. Fire Chief Bob Thompson stated that the victim was Ralph Smith, who was at the Staveness property when he fell approximately 9-10 feet onto cement after the ladder he was on had broken. The rescue crew of 5 stabilized Smith, who was responsive on the scene, and treated him for possible spinal and head trauma while preparing him for transport.

The local first responders met the Thief River Falls Ambulance and the Sanford helicopter from Bemidji at the airport in Grygla. Smith was transported by helicopter to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. As of Monday, April 3rd, Thompson said Smith remained at Altru, but was in stable condition after suffering multiple broken bones throughout his body.