14-year old snowmobile rider recovering from crash into tree near Elk Lake

(Update: Teen in stable condition)

BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} - A Lake Oswego teen who crashed a snowmobile into a tree near Elk Lake on Saturday is in stable condition and recovering, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office told KTVZ News on Sunday.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a serious snowmobile accident near Elk Lake Loop, just south of Sunset View Day Use Area, southwest of Bend.

The rider, was identified as a 14-year-old female from Lake Oswego, who went off-trail and collided with a tree, sustaining serious injuries, deputies said.

Due to the severity of the injuries and challenging terrain, nine Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers from both the snowmobile and medical teams quickly responded.

While en route, deputies received updates that the patient had briefly lost consciousness. Given this critical development, Air Link was immediately called to assist with the evacuation.

AirLink initially could not land near the crash site, due to terrain constraints. SAR teams established a safe landing zone on nearby Trail 5.

SAR paramedics and two AirLink Flight Nurses, provided medical care on scene, which stabilized the patient before transporting her via the SAR Snowbulance, which was approximately 1.6 miles to the helicopter.

At 6:44 PM, the patient was successfully loaded onto the AirLink helicopter and transported to St. Charles Bend for continued medical care.