ELK LAKE, Ore. — Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers rescued an injured hiker Saturday afternoon after he suffered a reported back injury while hiking near the Island Meadow Trailhead by Elk Lake.
According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue crews were dispatched at approximately 2:30 p.m. on July 18 after receiving a report of a 71-year-old man who had injured his back about 1.5 miles from the trailhead and was unable to hike back on his own.
A team of 13 Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the area and located the man along the trail at approximately 4:28 p.m.
After evaluating the hiker, rescuers used a single-wheel litter—a specialized rescue stretcher with a single wheel designed to transport patients over rugged terrain—to carry him safely back to the trailhead.
The man declined ambulance transport and instead chose to travel to the hospital with members of his hiking party. Officials said no additional injuries were reported.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked its Search and Rescue volunteers for their quick and efficient response to the incident.
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