The rescue unfolded in Mount Hood National Forest after a logger was injured when a falling tree struck and pinned him, according to fire department officials. They said the incident occurred on Thursday in the forest about 60 miles southeast of Portland, where steep, rugged terrain and limited access made conventional extraction difficult. Estacada Fire District said initial reports indicated the logger had a broken leg and possible other injuries.
Fire crews responded and had to navigate around downed trees on a time-consuming hike that included steep elevation changes before they could reach the patient, Estacada Battalion Chief Matt Aalto said. Other loggers on scene were later able to cut away the tree that initially pinned the logger’s leg, freeing it from the trap, Aalto said.
First responders then stabilized the logger, but an air ambulance helicopter without hoist capabilities was unable to reach the patient safely because of the surrounding terrain and dense tree cover, officials said. With a ground extraction described as dangerous and time-consuming, the Oregon Army National Guard was brought in to lift the patient.
Aalto said the Guard used an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with an external hoist capability. Officials said the logger was placed in a basket and hoisted about 200 feet (61 meters) into the air to the helicopter, then transported to a local hospital.
The officials also described staffing for the rescue response. Lt. Tony Hadeed, a paramedic with the Estacada department, was working when the call came in, Aalto said. Aalto said Hadeed is a former Army National Guard flight medic and that his prior experience with the same unit helped with team coordination, site preparation, and patient packaging during the hoist operation.