Smith Rock hiker injured in 100-foot fall

A Smith Rock hiker who lost consciousness and fell more than 100 feet from the Misery Ridge trail Monday afternoon was rescued and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers got a call around 1:10 p.m. reporting Eric Reynolds, 18, of Aumsville, Oregon, had fallen after losing consciousness, said Lt. Bryan Husband, sheriff’s special services coordinator.

Reynolds had come to rest on a lower section of the trail and was in need of medical attention, Husband said.

Reynolds had been hiking up the trail with his family and when they stopped to rest, the fall occurred, the lieutenant said, adding that it’s not known if he was tired or experiencing a form of heat exhaustion from the warm weather.

A total of 13 DCSO SAR volunteers, one deputy and personnel from the Redmond Fire Department and state park hiked to Reynolds’ location, about one-half mile from the Misery Ridge trailhead.

Redmond Fire personnel began treating Reynolds and he was packaged in a wheeled litter and taken down the steep trail, then taken by ambulance to the St. Charles Redmond.

“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those recreating, whether it be at Smith Rock State Park or any of our many outdoor areas, to plan ahead for all types of weather,” Husband wrote. “Research the weather forecast, bring extra food and water and utilize sun protection.”