Cross-country skier rescued at Meissner Sno-Park
A cross-country skier experienced a serious medical issue at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park west of Bend Tuesday afternoon, prompting her husband to call for help and a rescue operation to commence, officials said.
Deschutes County 911 dispatchers got a call shortly before 2 p.m. from a man reporting his 57-year-old wife had been cross-country skiing when she “began experiencing a potentially life-threatening medical issue,” said Deputy Josh Westfall, assistant search and rescue coordinator.
He reported they were about 1 1/2 miles from the parking lot, but could go no further due to her condition, Westfall said.
Based on that information, a sheriff’s deputy and five Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the scene with snowmobiles and the agency’s “snow ambulance.”
SAR volunteers reached the woman at the Meissner Shelter, where the first tended to her and brought her to the parking lot in the snow ambulance.
Bend Fire medics then took her by ambulance to St. Charles Bend for treatment. An air ambulance initially was contacted for transport but was unable to respond due to poor weather conditions.
Lt. Bryan Husband explained that the snow ambulance is an ambu-sled on skis that is enclosed for added warmth for patients being transported. It was purchased by the nonprofit SAR Foundation through community donations, and it’s the first winter it’s been in operation.
