54-year-old man rescued after falling in remote rocky area, Coast Guard helicopter forced to abort evacuation due to lightning

Eugene, OR – A 54-year-old man was rescued after falling in a remote rocky area of Oregon’s Upper McKenzie region, where he remained stranded for about seven hours before rescuers were able to evacuate him.

The incident was reported at about 1 p.m. on Sept. 5, when a retired Eugene police lieutenant contacted the Central Lane Communications Center to report the fall. The initial phone call was disconnected because of a poor cell connection, but the retired lieutenant was able to continue communicating with dispatchers through text messages.

That communication allowed dispatchers to obtain more accurate information about the man’s location in the remote area, which was at an elevation of approximately 4,000 feet.

According to the Eugene Police Department, the man had suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the fall but was unable to get himself out of the rocky terrain.

Search and rescue crews from Linn and Lane counties, along with Upper McKenzie Fire personnel, responded to the area to locate and assist the injured man. Crews stabilized him while a storm moved through the region, creating additional challenges for the rescue operation.

A Coast Guard helicopter was called in to evacuate the man from the remote location. However, the helicopter was forced to abort the initial evacuation attempt because of lightning in the area.

Rescuers had to wait until the storm passed before the helicopter could safely resume the operation.

The evacuation was eventually completed, with the Coast Guard helicopter transporting the man approximately seven hours after the initial call for help.

The Eugene Police Department credited Central Lane Communications Center staff for their efforts in maintaining communication and helping coordinate the response despite the poor cell service and difficult conditions.

The rescue involved multiple agencies working together to reach the man in a remote area where his injuries prevented him from getting to safety on his own.