Incidents:Helicopter evacuation at Big Creek Falls
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| Helicopter evacuation at Big Creek Falls | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2018/09/30 |
| Location | Big_Creek_(South_Cascades) |
| Severity | Injury |
| Canyoneering-related | Yes
|
| SAR involvement | Yes
|
| Navigation problem | No
|
| Swift water problem | |
| Environmental problem | No
|
| Communication problem | No
|
| Planning problem | No
|
| Skills problem | No
|
| Body movement problem | No
|
| Rigging problem | No
|
| Rappel problem | Yes
|
| Insufficient gear | No
|
| Gear failure | No
|
Summary[edit]
John F. Johnson, a 72 year-old man from Washougal, WA, fell 15-20 feet onto rocks after rappelling off the end of his rope during the first rappel of Big Creek Falls. Another party activated EMS by cell phone at around 9:30 a.m. At 11:50 a.m, the Skamania County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from USCG Sector Columbia River. The Coast Guard dispatched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, which arrived at 12:55 p.m. but was unable to hoist Johnson. Volcano Rescue Team members subsequently used a rope system to raise Johnson to the top of the falls. Johnson was then transported to Pine Creek Ranger Station where a Life Flight helicopter flew him to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR.