A 74-year-old Oregon man was rescued after falling nearly 40 feet off a cliff near the base of Sahalie Falls.
in Social Media PostsSweet Home Fire and Rescue District said emergency crews arrived at the base of the falls on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a report of a hiker falling over the falls.
The man fell about 40 feet off a cliff near the base of the falls.
“Thankfully, his injuries are not life-threatening, but he was close to the falls and was unable to walk and was in extremely cold conditions,” the fire department said in a statement.
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At 10:32 a.m. Wednesday, Sweet Home Fire and Rescue was dispatched to a report of a technical rescue at Sahalie Falls. (Sweet Home Fire Department via Facebook)
According to the fire department, Lane and Linn County Search and Rescue crews set up a long rope system and “pulled the patient down the cliff side to the sidewalk and then transported him back to a parking lot approximately half a mile away.”
During the perilous climb, rescuers decided to call a helicopter to transport the man to Riverbend Hospital.
The 74-year-old man’s injuries are not life-threatening but he is unable to walk. (Sweet Home Fire Department via Facebook)
During the lengthy rescue operation, a rope system was used to pull the injured hiker down the cliff side, onto the trailhead and then back to a parking area about half a mile away. (Sweet Home Fire Department via Facebook)
Due to the remoteness of the hike location, the landing site was set by a nearby highway.
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Emergency workers expressed their gratitude to the multiple agencies that worked to ensure the rescue was carried out safely and urged residents to stay safe when outdoors.
“We want to thank our incredible partners for helping make this a success,” the press release read. “We also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors. Planning ahead and knowing your limits will help keep you safe.”
A helicopter crew met up with rescuers and the 74-year-old victim, who was airlifted to a nearby hospital. (Sweet Home Fire Department via Facebook)
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Sahalie Falls is located on the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass and West Cascades National Scenic Highway off U.S. Highway 126 along Oregon’s Cascade Mountains.
The loop trail is approximately 2.4 miles long.
