Helicopter Rescue Operation Near Walton

On 05/09/2023 just after 9:00am, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received information about an injured logger in the woods near of Richardson Upriver Rd. outside of Walton. The 32-year-old logger sustained serious injuries to his pelvis, leg and head after being struck by a moving boulder, leaving him stranded down in a canyon nearly 1000ft away from the roadway. A second logger had also been struck by the boulder but sustained less-severe injuries to his lower-leg.

Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel responded and made their way down to the injured logger by foot.  Search and Rescue personnel began preparing to initiate a complex steep-angle rope rescue when the United States Coast Guard was able to arrive in the area with a rescue helicopter.

The severely injured patient was able to be hoisted up to the helicopter via the rescue basket.  A Lane County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue coordinator was also brought into the helicopter to continue providing emergency medical care during the transport to an area hospital.  The second patient was able to walk out on his own with some assistance. Both patients are expected to survive.