Man killed in fall

COUGAR RESERVOIR: A 22-year-old Salem man suffered fatal injuries on February 18th.

According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, a report was received at approximately 4:22 p.m. that a man had fallen off a cliff located on the east side of Aufderheide Drive (USFS Rd. 19), a short distance south of Terwilliger Hot Springs. 

First responders arrived on the scene and were able to see a man lying motionless on the ground at the bottom of a cliff, but due to the extreme terrain, the rescuers were not able to immediately reach him.  Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue, along with Eugene Mountain Rescue personnel had also been en route and discovered the subject was deceased. Their rescue plans turned into a recovery operation.

Team members rappelled approximately 300 feet down a steep cliff overlooking the reservoir to recover the subject. Using a tripod and rope system, the victim and team members were then raised back to the roadway.

Police said the preliminary investigation showed that the man’s fall was likely accidental. The victim’s name was not released at the request of his family.