Searles is an experienced sheep hunter who has hunted at high altitudes throughout his hunting career. Altitude-related complications were the last problem he expected. His wife, Sandy, says they had climbed to about 10,500 feet and had been hunting for about a week when her husband began feeling ill. They decided to descend to the base camp at 7,500 feet, where they spent a few days until he felt better. They returned to the higher altitudes where PH Luke Blackbeard put them on a wonderful trophy. Sandy says they were set up waiting for the nyala bull to present a shot when she saw something strange come over her husband. She says they immediately charged down the mountain to get him medical attention. Fortunately, he was able to walk, as some of the trails and passes in the mountains were wide enough for only one person.
Once they were at the base camp again, Sandy says they jumped into a car, and Blackbeard proceeded driving them to Addis Ababa, a full seven hours away. It was on the road, with Searles choking on the fluid that filled his lungs, that Sandy called Global Rescue from Blackbeard's satellite phone. She says Global Rescue worked through the night to arrange for a doctor and nurse from Nairobi to be flown by jet into Addis Ababa where they stabilized Searles and airlifted him to Nairobi. Sandy says the facilities........(continued)
