A weekend hike near the Sandy River turned into a rescue drama Saturday afternoon when a hiker fell an estimated 150 feet down a steep embankment in Multnomah County, according to emergency crews.
Gresham firefighters were called out just before 3 p.m. to the Stark Street viaduct in the Troutdale area to reach the injured hiker. The person, who was hiking with one other companion, was reported to have a broken femur and a skull fracture as responders worked to get them back up to the roadway.
By about 4 p.m., rescue teams were using a high-angle rope system to haul the patient up from below, KPTV reported. Firefighters were still in the middle of the effort at that point and coordinating with other responders to move the hiker to waiting medical transport.
Rugged Terrain And Multi-Agency Work
Rope and litter extractions in the Columbia River Gorge are technical operations that often pull in several agencies and volunteer teams. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office notes that its Green Hornets search and rescue team frequently works alongside mountain rescue groups, local fire districts and ambulance crews when helicopters are not an option. Those missions can stretch on for hours and depend heavily on accurate location details and specialized rope systems.
Hiking Safety Reminders
Public safety officials and outdoor organizations regularly urge hikers to stay on marked trails and to carry the classic “10 essentials” such as navigation tools, extra layers, a headlamp, food and a basic first aid kit. The American Hiking Society offers a detailed checklist for preparing for steep and unstable terrain like the Gorge…