MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST, Oregon (AP) — An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter hoisted an injured logger to safety from a remote area of the Mount Hood National Forest after steep, rugged terrain prevented other means of rescue, fire department officials said.
A falling tree struck and pinned the logger Thursday, about 60 miles southeast of Portland, according to the Estacada Fire District. The district said initial reports indicated the logger had a broken leg and possible other injuries.
The logger’s leg was initially pinned by the tree. But other loggers on scene were able to cut away the tree to free the leg, Estacada Battalion Chief Matt Aalto told The Associated Press.
Responding fire crews were able to reach the injured logger after navigating around downed trees during a time-consuming hike with steep elevation changes, Aalto said. First responders then stabilized the logger.
An air ambulance helicopter without hoist capabilities was unable to safely access the patient because of the terrain and dense tree cover, officials said. With ground extraction described as dangerous and time consuming, the Oregon Army National Guard responded with an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The logger was placed in a basket and hoisted about 200 feet (61 meters) into the air to the helicopter, officials said. The logger was brought to a local hospital and reported in stable condition.
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 who worked for the same unit that responded, adding that Hadeed brought additional value with team coordination, site preparation and patient packaging.
“This was his first time being on the other side of a rescue for Tony,” Aalto said, “but because of his previous experience, he added additional value with team coordination, site preparation, and patient packaging.”