News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's Office search-and-rescue mission on Mt. Hood rescues injured climber

Posted: May 17, 2009 8:13 a.m.

Photos: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ]

At 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2009, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office search-and-rescue mission was activated upon receiving word of a 34-year-old female climber injured while ascending Mt. Hood near Crater Rock.

At 5:20 a.m., Clackamas County 911 (C-COM) dispatchers received an emergency cell-phone call from a member of a 10-person climbing party in the process of ascending Mount Hood. It was reported that falling ice and debris had struck a female member of the climbing party, causing injuries to both her legs. The injury reportedly occurred an estimated 500' southwest of Crater Rock.

The injured climber was conscious and breathing. It was thought that she hadn't broken any bones -- though she may have dislocated a knee. Some initial bleeding on the patient's leg -- created by falling ice and crampons -- had been stopped, and that injury was being managed by attending members of the climbing party.

It was determined that the attending members of the climbing party would move the injured climber to the Palmer Glacier to expedite the rescue process.

Those climbing in this party were well-equipped with communication devices and mountain locator units.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office search-and-rescue mission coordinators summoned rescue personnel from Portland Mountain Rescue, the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol, Mountain Wave Communications, and American Medical Response's Reach And Treat (RAT) Team. Personnel from each of these teams participated in the rescue effort -- which proved successful.

At 9:53 a.m. on May 16, the injured climber -- identified as Jessica M. Deans, age 34, of Portland, Oregon -- was successfully rescued and transported off the mountain to a local hospital for medical attention. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

The photos linked above -- provided by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office -- feature the rescued patient packaged in a litter while being transported by an unidentified rescue worker to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.

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