Injured hiker hoisted by helicopter from ravine near Packwood

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A hiker who fell approximately 100 feet into a ravine north of Packwood was hoisted out by a Coast Guard helicopter over the weekend, according to authorities.

A deputy dispatched about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to a trail near Tatoosh Lake concluded the best way to get to the 24-year-old Astoria Ore. man was by air, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

A helicopter crew arriving around 9 p.m. from Astoria, Ore. lowered a Packwood area search and rescue team member as well as a pair of Coast Guard members to tend to the injured hiker, according to the sheriff’s office and the Coast Guard.

The helicopter couldn’t stay because of fuel limitations and another helicopter returned about 11:30 p.m., the Coast Guard reported in a news release.

The man’s uninjured hiking partner – a 21-year-old Long Beach woman – was hoisted to safety, responders said.

The injured man was hoisted by basket, according to the Coast Guard. He was flown to awaiting EMS personnel in Olympia with a broken arm, broken shoulder and possible spinal injuries, according to the news release.

His name was not released.

Just a week earlier, the Coast Guard from Astoria was called upon to help rescue a Cinebar woman from the banks of the Tilton River west of Morton who was stranded overnight with a dislocated shoulder from a river rafting accident.

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CORRECTION : This has been updated to remove incorrect timing reported by the Coast Guard.

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 23rd, 2012 at 10:02 am and is filed under Top story of the day. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

2 Responses to “Injured hiker hoisted by helicopter from ravine near Packwood”

  1. Injured Hiker's Mom says:
    Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    If it were not for the clear thinking, strength, stamina and dedication of the uninjured hiker, my son would not be alive today. My deepest appreciation always. My son says it is because of her that he is alive that day, and because of the Coast Guard that he is alive for the rest of the them. Uninjured hiker also kept injured hiker’s dog from going after him down that icy ridge and took care of him while injured hiker was hospitalized. Thank you uninjured hiker as well as the Mountain Patrol, the Lewis County Sherrif’s Office, the Packwood Fire Dept, the Coast Guard crews and all the talented doctors and nurses who cared for my son. He is standing, walking, hurting, recovering and okay.

    This makes TWO thankful Moms counting their blessings….

  2. Judy Friend says:
    Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    I am the Mom of the uninjured hiker. Thank you to he Coast Guard for the rescue. Also thank you to the Packwood Fire Department for taking care of my daughter and her friend’s dog. I appreciate the clothing you found for her, the fluids you gave her. The food and a warm bed that you provided for her. You all went above and beyond what was expected. Thanks again and God bless!

    A thankful Mom that is counting her blessings…