Bend man injured in 55-foot jump recovering at hospital
The wife of a Bend man seriously injured when he jumped 55 feet into Blue Pool at Tamolich Falls in Linn County said Tuesday he is expected to make a full recovery, but it will take some time. She also wanted to thank the others who helped him after Sunday’s accident.
Desirae Frank said her husband, John, suffered fractures in his back and sternum, among other injuries.
A rescue and recovery operation took until after midnight, several hours after the incident at the falls, located on the McKenzie River near Trail Bridge Reservoir. Blue Pool is located at the base of Tamolich Falls and is a popular hiking destination.
Frank had hiked about two miles into the falls with his wife and their 16-year-old daughter, Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley said in a news release.
“After seeing another individual successfully jump into the water, Frank jumped from an outcropping of rocks approximately 55 feet above the water,” around 4:25 p.m., the sheriff wrote.
Frank suffered chest and back injuries when he hit the water, Riley said, but was able to swim toward shore and yell for help.
His wife was at the water’s edge and got in the pool and was able to helpFrank to shore when he became distressed. Riley noted that Desirae Frank is a registered nurse and rendered first aid.
Bystanders hiked the two-mile long trail out to where they could call for help at 5:15 pm.
Desirae Frank said during the long wait for rescue, she and five others, including a paramedic student and off-duty EMT, positioned him, while others donated towels, shirts and water to prevent hypothermia.
“We all had to eventually build a fire to keep him warm,” she told NewsChannel 21 by email. “I am grateful for the small group of people who stayed with me and my husband during that long period of time. I think it saved his life.”
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Department and McKenzie Fire Department initially responded to the scene, along with the Linn and Lane counties search and rescue teams.
Because of the steep terrain, the Eugene Mountain Rescue Team and the Corvallis Mountain Rescue Teams also responded to assist with the high-angle rescue.
Rescuers rappelled down to and prepared him for an air evacuation. Just after midnight, an Army National Guard helicopter responded and was able to hoist Frank aboard and take him in stable condition to St. Charles Bend, the sheriff said.
A hospital house supervisor said Monday that Frank was not listed in the public patient directory.
With summer approaching, Riley said he “would like to remind the public of the hazards of cliff jumping into water. This can be very dangerous and caution should be taken in and around these areas.”
