Overdue Vancouver, Wash., dirt biker found SE of Bend

A Vancouver, Washington man who failed to return from a dirt bike ride Friday night southeast of Bend prompted a search overnight and Saturday morning, until he was found walking on a trail, having run out of gas, officials said.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers got a call around 8:40 p.m. from the wife of Michael Todd, 46, saying he was overdue from a ride in the East Fort Rock OHV riding area, said Lt. Bryan Husband, sheriff’s office search and rescue coordinator.

Todd’s wife said he had arrived separately earlier in the day and last was seen about 5 p.m., riding away from their camp in the 2510 staging area. He reportedly was alone and riding his orange 2019 KTM dirt bike.

“Todd was reported to be in good health and an experienced motorcycle rider,” Husband said in a news release.

Two patrol deputies were sent to the area to start searching for Todd and a third deputy met with Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers to begin planning a further search, if needed.

Search efforts continued until about 2:30 a.m. and then were temporarily postponed until daylight. The search resumed around 7 a.m., involving 18 SAR volunteers and four deputies.

Around 8:45 a.m., SAR volunteers and deputies were contacted by riders at the 2510 staging area, reporting another member of their riding party had found Todd walking on OHV Trail 60, south of the staging area, and was giving him a ride back to the search officials’ location.

Todd arrived at the staging area a short time later and was in good shape, other than being tired from walking all night, Husband said.

The rider told deputies he was not completely familiar with his new motorcycle’s low fuel warning system and ran out of fuel about 12 miles south of the camp. Husband said SAR volunteers assigned to the ATV team helped Todd retrieve his motorcycle and he was left with his family on scene.

“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those recreating in the outdoors to consider carrying with you the “10 essentials,” which include: a form of navigation (cellphone, GPS and extra batteries), sun protection, insulation (additional clothing), illumination, first aid supplies, fire (waterproof matches or lighter), multi-tool, extra food and water and emergency shelter,” Husband wrote.

“You should also always let someone know where you are going,” he added.