Lane County Search & Rescue Locates Injured Hiker After GPS Distress Signal in Three Sisters Wilderness
LANE COUNTY, Ore. — Five-and-a-half hours after receiving an emergency distress GPS from a hiker, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office’s Search & Rescue (SAR) team located the injured man near George Creek in the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Rescuers Were Alerted by a Distress Signal
LCSO received the distress signal at 6.30 p.m. on Friday, last week, and immediately requested assistance from the Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District to search for the hiker’s vehicle, which was located at the Separation Lake trail head.
In the meantime, the SAR team searched the area and located the injured hiker near the GPS coordinates. Emergency medical care was implemented, including treating the hiker for possible hypothermia. They escorted him to his vehicle after treatment.
LCSO has released the following tips to stay safe when exploring outdoors:
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Check weather conditions before leaving home.
- Always be prepared to stay overnight.
- Pack maps for offline navigation, as cell service can be unreliable.
- Always wear a life jacket if your trip involves water sports.
To learn more about the SAR program, or to make a donation towards their volunteer services click here.