Bend man falls 30 feet, critically injured near Dillon Falls

A Bend man standing at the edge of a steep overlook along the Deschutes River south of Bend lost his balance and fell about 30 feet to the rocks below Tuesday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency, 2 1/2-hour rescue of the critically injured hiker.

A friend called Deschutes County dispatchers around 12:40 p.m. to report that Chris Brinegar, 35, had fallen and suffered an apparent head injury downstream (north) of Dillon Falls., a popular hiking and recreation area near Century Drive, southwest of Bend.

Sheriff’s deputies, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers, Bend Fire Department medics, Oregon State Police troopers and U.S. Forest Service officers responded to the scene, said Sheriff’s Lt. Bryan Husband.

They learned Brinegar had been in the area with a friend, walked a short distance off the trail and was on the rocks beside a very steep overlook when he lost his balance and fell from the overlook, landing on rocks near the river, Husband said.

About 30 to 40 personnel responded to assist in the technical, high-angle rope rescue. SAR and Bend Fire personnel played key roles in getting the injured man treated, placed in a rescue basket and lifted up the rocky cliff.

“With only one group, we couldn’t have pulled this off. We need both groups, personnel-wise and expertise-wise,” said Bend Fire Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki.

An AirLink helicopter crew helped rescuers locate the pair and bring the first medics to the scene.

Once brought up the cliff, Brinegar was brought by wheeled litter to a spot near the Dillon Falls boat ramp, where the AirLink helicopter was standing by. It took off around 3 p.m. and flew Brinegar to St. Charles Bend, where a nursing supervisor said he remained in critical condition Wednesday morning.

While no foul play is suspected, Husband said “alcohol may have been a factor in this incident.”

The sheriff’s lieutenant said the fall serves as a tragic reminder to stay on the trails when enjoying the outdoors.

“Stay on trail,” Husband said. “This area where the fall took place was off-trail.”