Mtn. biker who died near Little Lava Lake ID’d

A 62-year-old Redmond mountain biker collapsed during a ride with others near Little Lava Lake Saturday afternoon, sending rescuers rushing to the area, but despite efforts by another rider and medics to revive him, he died at the scene, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Sgt. Mike Biondi, Search and Rescue operations manager, released the victim’s name Sunday: Wesley Pierson.

Deschutes County 911 got a call just before 2 p.m. from a mountain bike rider who reported a man in their riding party had collapsed while riding, Biondi said.

The caller advised the man had passed him while riding on the Lava-Edison Trail, less than a quarter-mile northeast of Little Lava Lake. A short time later, he came across Pierson, who had collapsed on the trail, and immediately began CPR.

Several sheriff’s deputies, U.S. Forest Service workers, Sunriver Fire Department paramedics and an Air Link helicopter responded to the call, Biondi said.

When paramedics arrived on the scene, they began advanced life-saving efforts, but Pierson died at the scene, the sergeant said, adding that the investigation was continuing.