Bend man still in coma, 2 months after 30-foot fall

It’s been almost two months since a hiker fell 30 feet down a rocky ravine at Dillon Falls near Bend. Chris Brinegar went off trail to get a better view.

He’s been in a coma ever since the accident.

Brinegar’s ex-wife, Amanda, talked with NewsChannel 21 on Monday about safety on the trails this summer and how tough this long wait has been on her and their three children.

“We used to be avid hikers and campers, enjoying the outdoors,” Amanda Brinegar said, “We would always hang out and go hiking.”

His love of hiking is a passion that tragically landed him at the bottom of a 30 foot cliff.

Emergency personnel did everything they could, but he remains in a coma.

Amanda Brinegar says Chris is a great dad who loves the outdoors almost as much his three children.

“We acted like kids with the kids,” Amanda said.

Nick, Chloe, and Tianna visit their Dad often.

“The kids said that he was snapping their fingers one time when they went to see him,” Amanda said.

What do they tell him?

“Tell about what’s going on in school,” said Brinegar’s son, Nick.

“Maybe like, ‘Hey daddy, mommy says hi, and I want to go hiking again,'” said Brinegar’s daughter, Chloe.

Amanda can’t help thinking of what’s likely been lost.

“He’s not going to be able to walk his daughters down the aisle,” she said.

And she urges everyone to be safe when enjoying the great outdoors.

“Sitting here, (we are) living proof — raising our three kids, talking to our friends about what I can’t do and what I can’t say to him,” Amanda said.

Only immediate family has been able to visit Brinegar in the hospital.. so his ex-wife has not been allowed to see him since the accident.