SKAMANIA COUNTY, Wash. (TMX) – An 85-year-old man was rescued early Thursday after being reported overdue from a Wednesday hike on Wind Mountain in Washington state, officials said.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said the man’s son reported him overdue at around 11:18 p.m. Wednesday after being unable to contact him by phone. The man had set out for a hike on Wind Mountain, east of Stevenson, at around noon that day.
A sheriff’s deputy responded to the Wind Mountain trailhead as volunteers were gathered for a search, and located the man’s vehicle. At around 1:21 a.m. Thursday, volunteers from the sheriff’s office’s search and rescue team located the man approximately 75 feet off the trail.
Due to his location and the “rugged terrain,” a rope rescue team was requested, along with manpower assistance. Skamania County Emergency Medical Services personnel and volunteers from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Skamania County Fire District 1, and Skamania County Fire District 2 all responded to the scene.
The man was finally brought to the trailhead at around 7:14 a.m. Thursday, and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The sheriff’s office did not specify the nature of his condition or possible injuries.
“This mission is a direct reflection of the phenomenal, collaborative efforts of numerous teams making a difficult, but successful rescue,” Skamania Sheriff Summer Scheyer said in a statement. ”The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is, as always, so appreciative of the efforts made by our volunteers and paid professionals who are willing to assist in providing these invaluable services.”
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