Two injured in head-on motorcycle crash

Two men injured in a head-on motorcycle crash in an off-road area east of Bend Saturday afternoon were taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

County 911 dispatch got the report around 2:45 p.m. of the crash that had occurred on Trail 50, about a mile north of Forest Service Road 2510, said Deputy Jeff Winters, assistant search and rescue coordinator.

U.S. Forest Service personnel contacted 911 after discovering the crash as they conducted patrols of the OHV (off-highway vehicle) area.

Sheriff’s deputies and four SAR volunteer responded to help the injured riders, identified as Michael Jura, 45, of Bend, and Paul Thompson, 56, of Aberdeen, Wash., Winters said.

Due to the nature of the reported injuries, an Air Link helicopter also was dispatched to the area.

Winters said the Forest Service personnel guided the deputies and SAR crew to the crash scene. The riders were taken back to the main road, where Air Link medical personnel assessed the injuries. One was flown to St. Charles Bend by Air Link while the other went by ground ambulance.

Both men are experienced riders familiar with the area, the deputy said, adding that alcohol did not play a factor in the crash.