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Pioneer Press
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California Man Dies in Denali Park
By Kris Fister
ALASKA PIONEER PRESS
TALKEETNA – Gerald Focha, 76, of Danville, California died from what appear to be
natural causes at the Alaska Railroad Denali Deport on Wednesday, May 27, in spite of the
lifesaving efforts by personnel on scene, park rangers, and the local fire department.
The National Park Service received a report of a person suffering a possible heart attack at 4:2
7 p.m. on Wednesday, and rangers and an ambulance were immediately dispatched. While
enroute the park’s communications center received a second call that the person was not
breathing and that CPR was in progress. Upon arrival rangers found Focha was in full cardiac
arrest. Ranger-EMTs and personnel from the Tri-Valley Fire Department performed advanced
cardiac life support measures in an attempt to restore a pulse, but were not successful. After
40 minutes of emergency lifesaving effort, and after consultation with the park’s medical
director physican, CPR and other efforts were terminated. Focha’s wife was accompanying
him. His remains were released to the Office of the State Medical Examiner.
By Kris Fister
ALASKA PIONEER PRESS
TALKEETNA – Gerald Focha, 76, of Danville, California died from what appear to be
natural causes at the Alaska Railroad Denali Deport on Wednesday, May 27, in spite of the
lifesaving efforts by personnel on scene, park rangers, and the local fire department.
The National Park Service received a report of a person suffering a possible heart attack at 4:2
7 p.m. on Wednesday, and rangers and an ambulance were immediately dispatched. While
enroute the park’s communications center received a second call that the person was not
breathing and that CPR was in progress. Upon arrival rangers found Focha was in full cardiac
arrest. Ranger-EMTs and personnel from the Tri-Valley Fire Department performed advanced
cardiac life support measures in an attempt to restore a pulse, but were not successful. After
40 minutes of emergency lifesaving effort, and after consultation with the park’s medical
director physican, CPR and other efforts were terminated. Focha’s wife was accompanying
him. His remains were released to the Office of the State Medical Examiner.
