First Washington State Trooper At Mudslide Scene Describes Rescue

NPR

Published March 27, 2014 at 12:35 PM EDT

Trooper Rocky Oliphant emerges from the Oso landslide after assisting with the rescue of an infant boy. Oliphant was the first trooper on the scene of the disaster on Saturday. (Washington State Patrol)

As the search continues for survivors following Saturday’s deadly slide in the town of Oso, Washington, Governor Jay Inslee says authorities will examine whether risk-assessment for landslides is adequate.

Questions have been raised after it was learned there were reports years ago warning of the potential for catastrophic landslides in the area.

Crews continue searching through the debris for bodies.

One of the first pictures to emerge from the disaster was of a muddied State Trooper who had just helped to rescue an injured baby.

That trooper was 27-year-old Rocky Oliphant. He was the first trooper on the scene, and he shares his story publicly for the first time with Here & Now Contributor Austin Jenkins.

Northwest News Network: First Trooper On Scene Of Landslide Describes Baby Rescue

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Austin Jenkins, Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. He tweets @AustinJenkinsN3.