Oregon Army National Guard hoists injured logger to safety
MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST, Oregon — An Oregon National Guard helicopter safely hoisted an injured logger from a remote national forest after steep and rugged terrain prevented other means of rescue, fire officials said.
A fallen tree struck and trapped the logger Thursday in the Mount Hood National Forest, about 60 miles southeast of Portland. The Estacada Fire District said initial reports indicated the logger had a broken leg and other possible injuries.
The logger’s leg was initially stuck in the tree. But other loggers at the scene were able to cut down the tree to free the leg, Estacada Battalion Chief Matt Aalto told the Associated Press.
Responding fire crews were able to reach the injured logger after bypassing downed trees during a long hike that also featured steep elevation changes.
First responders were able to stabilize the recorder, but an air ambulance helicopter without lifting capability was unable to safely access the patient due to the terrain and dense tree cover.
A ground extraction would have been dangerous and time consuming, so the Oregon National Guard responded with an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The recorder was placed in a basket, which was hoisted approximately 200 feet (61 meters) in the air to the helicopter. The logger was transported to a local hospital and was in stable condition.
Lt. Tony Hadeed, a paramedic with the Estacada department, was working when the call came in.
He is a former Army National Guard flight medic who worked for the same unit that responded to the call, Aalto said.
“This was Tony’s first time being on the other side of a rescue, but because of his prior experience, he added extra value with team coordination, site preparation and patient packing,” Aalto said.
