Rescue at the falls

SAHALIE FALLS: Rescuers were called to respond to an injury accident last Wednesday at around 10:30 a.m. for a rescue operation at Sahalie Falls. A caller reported an elderly male had fallen approximately 40 feet down a cliff near the base of the falls. The Sweet Home Fire District responded with one medic unit and a rescue vehicle and made the one-hour drive east to make contact with the patient. On the scene, medics found bystanders helping the patient near the base of the waterfall.

The man sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was unable to walk. He was also extremely cold due to being so close to the water. Lane and Linn County Search and Rescue teams arrived shortly after Sweet Home Fire units and facilitated rescue operations.

Officials reported the lengthy rescue operation involved rope systems to raise the patient up the face of a cliff to the trail, where he was then carried back down to the parking lot approximately a half-mile away.

A decision was made during the rescue operation to utilize a Life Flight air ambulance to transport the patient to the Riverbend Hospital due to his condition. Due to the remote area, the landing zone was established on Hwy 126, temporarily closing down the highway.