A Umatilla County Search and Rescue (SAR) team rescued a man trapped inside a vehicle that had crashed into a creek.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, SAR members from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office were assisting Baker County on a search for a missing hunter. SAR members Travis Lundquist, Destry Stewart and Danita Smith encountered a vehicle that crashed into the East Fork of Eagle Creek.
According to Lt. Sterrin Holcomb of the UCSO, the team members were traveling across a bridge over the creek in their vehicle when they heard a horn honking.
“They stopped and backed onto the bridge when they saw one of the tires on the vehicle that was upside down in the water,” said Holcomb. They hiked down to the crashed vehicle and found a man trapped inside.
“The doors on the vehicle were jammed and he could not get out,” said Holcomb. “He was engulfed by very cold, fast moving water and extremely hypothermic and had an injury to his shoulder.”
The man told the rescuers he had been trapped in the creek for about 45 minutes.
“Our team radioed for help and then began working to free the man.” Said Holcomb.
Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash arrived a short time later to help. Using a car jack, axe, and other tools, they were able to pry a door open and remove the occupant. Union County personnel also arrived and assisted with treating the patient. The rescuers contacted LifeFlight, and a helicopter landed on the bridge and air lifted man to the hospital.
“Our SAR team is to be commended for being alert and discovering the crashed vehicle, alerting other rescuers, and starting the rescue efforts,” said Holcomb. “It’s likely that this man could have died or suffered further injury if he remained in the cold water for much longer. Their discovery of the crash, and the subsequent response efforts by all other personnel who worked on this scene, likely saved this man’s life.”
