Hiker falls 40 feet into Deschutes River below Benham Falls, reaches log, prompting water rescue effort

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Eugene hiker who fell about 40 feet into the Deschutes River below Benham Falls Sunday morning was able to reach a log in the swift-moving river and an ensuing rescue effort took several hours to accomplish, authorities said.

Water teams from Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Bend fire & Rescue and the Sunriver Fire Department were dispatched around 10:30 a.m. to help the 61-year-old man, Sergeant Jason Wall said.

Rescue teams using ropes, inflatable boats and swim teams were able to bring the man back to shore and an AirLink helicopter flew him to St. Charles Bend for treatment, Wall said.