Coast Guard rescues teen and her father in Deschutes National Forest

PORTLAND, OregonKOIN) — A U.S. Coast Guard crew from Astoria Air Force Base rescued a 14-year-old hiker who suffered a serious knee injury while hiking with her father in the Deschutes National Forest on Father's day.

As the injured hiker was unable to return to the trailhead, a team of MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters was dispatched to the scene at 4:20 p.m. The coastal crew reached the patient two hours later and resolved many problems while trying to lift the girl. security.

Towering trees and steep terrain prevented rescuers from reaching the teenager with the helicopter's lifting cable. Acting quickly, the team lowered two rescue swimmers into the wilderness a quarter mile from the injured hiker. Rescue swimmers went into the woods, loaded the patient onto a stretcher and carried her over fallen trees, rocks and snow to the lift site.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jason Weeks said the surrounding trees, steep terrain and severity of the injuries made for an “incredibly difficult but rewarding rescue.”

“The environment of this region posed significant challenges, but through our constant training for dynamic conditions like these, we were able to work together as an effective team and successfully complete our mission,” Weeks said.

The father and family dog ​​were also transported to the rescue helicopter and the family was flown to Redmond Municipal Airport. Paramedics then took the girl to a local hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition.

“This crew was made up of three fathers. So it was very heartwarming to be able, on Father’s Day, to play a role in the safe return of a father and daughter,” Weeks said.