52-year-old jumps 60 feet from Rock Creek Falls; Coast Guard aircrew conducts medevac

News Release

August 8, 2018 U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest Contact: 13th District Public Affairs Office: (206) 220-7237 After Hours: (206) 251-3237 13th District online newsroom

52-year-old jumps 60 feet from Rock Creek Falls; Coast Guard aircrew conducts medevac

 

ASTORIA, Ore. -- A Coast Guard aircrew medically evacuated a 52-year-old man who reportedly jumped 60 feet from the top of a waterfall at Rock Creek Falls, Wednesday.

An Air Station Astoria crew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter hoisted the man and transported him to the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital trauma center in Portland for further medical care.

A Skamania County Sheriff deputy contacted Sector Columbia River Command Center watchstanders at approximately 5 p.m., requesting helicopter rescue assistance for a man who jumped from the falls and landed in a gulch at the bottom.

Initially, a local Emergency Medical Service crew located the individual, pulled him from the water and secured him to a stretcher.

A Skamania high-angle rope rescue team requested assistance after determining it was unsafe to transport the man due to steep and rough terrain. 

The Astoria aircrew arrived on scene at approximately 7 p.m. and recovered the individual, who reportedly had no feeling below his waistline.

A local paramedic was also hoisted into the helicopter to ensure higher-level care was provided until they could reach the trauma center. 

 

-USCG-