Deschutes County SAR rescues injured S. Sister hiker
(Update: More details)
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue deputies and volunteers and an AirLink air ambulance crew spent part of their Fourth of July rescuing a Portland woman who was injured while hiking on the South Sister Trail.
Shortly after 1 p.m., 911 dispatchers received a report from the husband of Jennifer Gray, 45, who had just sustained a non-life-threatening injury, according to Lt. Bryan Husband, Search and Rescue coordinator.
The couple were at about 8,100 feet elevation on the 10,358-foot peak, and Gray was unable to hike any further, Husband said. Other hikers in the area stopped to help the couple until rescuers could arrive.
Two deputies and 14 SAR volunteers responded to assist. The AirLink crews helped get two volunteers to the area of the injured woman more quickly.
Four SAR volunteers went to the Mt. Bachelor parking lot, in case they also needed to be shuttled up the mountain, while six volunteers went to the Devils Lake trailhead and began hiking up to the injured woman, Husband said.
Volunteers reached Gray and the group around 3:40 p.m. and further stabilized her. The group on scene helped the volunteers carry Gray to the waiting helicopter, which flew her to St. Charles Bend, Husband said. The volunteers then hiked with the remaining group back to the trailhead.
Husband said the sheriff’s office wanted to thank Airlink for its assistance with the rescue.
The sheriff’s office also reminded those traveling in the backcountry at this time of year to prepare for a variety trail conditions — dirt, snow and ice — and for various weather, such as sun, rain, sleet and snow.
Outdoor enthusiasts also are reminded to always travel with the 10 essentials, listed on the SAR website at https://www.deschutessearchandrescue.org/the-10-essentials-for-survival/.
