Two lost hikers rescued near Tumalo Falls

Two lost Bend hikers called for help Saturday evening after losing the trail in the snow near Tumalo Falls, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Dispatchers got a 911 call just after 5 p.m. from Kenneth Deen , 24, who said he and friend Sonja McLean, 41, were lost, according to Deputy Josh Westfall, assistant coordinator for Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue.

A deputy and a SAR volunteer quickly headed to the Tumalo Falls trailhead and deployed as a ” hasty team, ” intending to reach the pair as fast as possible, Westfall said. Seven more SAR volunteers went to the scene as well.

The hasty team was able to find the hikers, who had started a warming fire and were unhurt. They were guided on foot by the deputy and SAR volunteers back to the trailhead, where they had parked their vehicle, and no further assistance was needed.

” The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to always have a reliable navigation system and plenty of food, water, light sources and clothing for all types of conditions when venturing outdoors, ” Westfall said in his news release ..