75-year-old hiker rescued after medical emergency in Badlands Wilderness near Bend

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers and Bend Fire & Rescue personnel rescued a 75-year-old Portland area woman who became ill while hiking in the Badlands Wilderness Area east of Bend on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 5:11 p.m.

A Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Special Services Deputy received a report that the woman, who was hiking with a friend, had become unable to stand or continue back to the Flat Iron Rock Trailhead. The deputy initiated a callout for Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers based on this initial 911 report.

The Search and Rescue team hiked approximately 1.4 miles to reach the ill hiker and her partner. After assessing her condition, volunteers loaded the hiker into a wheeled litter to transport her safely.

She was transported using the wheeled litter back to the Flat Iron Rock Trailhead. An ambulance from Bend Fire & Rescue was staged at the trailhead and took the hiker to St. Charles-Bend for further medical evaluation and treatment.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office thanked the Search and Rescue volunteers and Bend Fire & Rescue for their quick and coordinated response during the incident.

The hiker was taken to St. Charles-Bend for medical evaluation and treatment following the rescue.