A six-year-old child from the Redmond area died Saturday afternoon after being struck by a travel trailer at Link Creek Campground near Suttle Lake, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency crews were dispatched around 1:52 p.m. on May 23 after Deschutes County dispatchers received reports that the child had been hit by a vehicle and was unconscious and not breathing.
Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded alongside the Oregon State Police, Black Butte Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, and Life Flight Network.
Authorities said family members and nearby campers immediately began lifesaving efforts before first responders arrived. The child was transported by family members to a designated landing zone at the intersection of Highway 20 and Suttle Lake Road, where an air ambulance was waiting.
The child was flown to St. Charles Bend and was later pronounced dead.
Investigators said a five-year-old child who witnessed the incident told deputies the two children had run from the lakeshore back to their campsite to retrieve a stuffed animal and were returning toward the lake when the crash occurred.
According to investigators, the witness said she stopped after seeing a vehicle towing a travel trailer approaching. Authorities believe the six-year-old child entered the area between the tow vehicle and trailer, where contact occurred with the trailer.
Witnesses told investigators the vehicle and trailer were moving at an extremely slow speed. Investigators said the children approached from the right rear side of the tow vehicle and trailer combination — an area that may have limited the driver’s visibility — and they believe the driver did not realize an impact had occurred.
The driver, a man from the Portland area, remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. Authorities said there was no indication of impairment or criminal behavior.
Deputies and other responding agencies documented the scene, assisted medical personnel, and remained with the child’s family while hospital chaplains and Oregon State Police personnel provided support.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said no identifying information about the child or family members will be released out of respect for the family’s privacy.
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