Stranded Family in Oregon Wilderness Rescued After Drone Spots Faint Campfire Signal

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — A family of five stranded on the north bank of the Sandy River near Dodge Park without water, warm clothing, and one child’s critical medication on Friday was rescued early Saturday morning.

The family of three adults and two children, ages 9 and 13, was reported stranded at around 10:15 p.m. on Friday. The Clackamas County Water Rescue Team was dispatched to find them as part of a Search and Rescue mission launched by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

A drone from the nearby Corbett Fire spotted the family near Camp Nemanu shortly after 10:30 p.m., Saturday, where they had managed to start a small warming fire on the shore. The Portland Police Bureau’s air unit also spotted the family and their fire and helped guide rescuers to their location.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue volunteers and a boat crew from Clackamas Fire reached the family by 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

They extinguished the fire and helped the family cross the river to safety. By 5:30 a.m., the family had successfully hiked out of the woods and returned home safely.