Press release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

UPDATED: Clackamas County search-and-rescue personnel locate subject on Mt. Hood

Posted: 08/06/08

UPDATE: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue personnel can now identify the rescued person located earlier on Mount Hood as Jeffrey Stanberry, a 55-year-old African-American male adult with a Salvation Army address provided in Portland.

Stanberry told rescue personnel he rode a bus from Portland to Mt. Hood with the intention of climbing to Illumination Rock. Stanberry was wearing very light clothing and walking shoes. He had no water or food -- only spiritual books in a backpack.

Stanberry was not able to definitively determine when he arrived on Mt. Hood, but it is speculated he may have been on the mountain for at least two days. Stanberry is described as suffering from extreme hydration.

Stanberry was carried off the mountain by American Medical Response and Portland Mountain Rescue personnel, then transported by ambulance to Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham.

RESCUE PHOTOS:  [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]

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EARLIER:

At approximately 10 a.m. this morning (Wednesday, Aug. 6), the Timberline Lodge Ski Patrol reported receiving a phone call from an injured male adult who was seeking assistance on Mount Hood.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue (SAR) personnel responded to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood and established an emergency command post.

Two emergency personnel representing American Medical Response's elite Reach And Treat (RAT) team and three Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) volunteers were immediately deployed on the mountain to assist.

Sheriff's Office SAR coordinators report contacting a cellular-telephone company and requesting assistance in precisely locating where on the mountain this particular cellular phone is being used by the injured male subject.

SAR coordinators report that the injured subject described leg and head injuries, and also conveyed a desperate need for water.

No other personal identifying information is available at this time -- including whether this man was a climber, hiker or skier.

The SAR mission initially concentrated its efforts on the Illumination Saddle area of Mt. Hood. This area of elevation starts at approximately 6000' and ends at almost 10,000'.

By 2:45 p.m. today (Aug. 6), SAR Coordinators reported that the injured subject had been located near Mississippi Head by Portland Mountain Rescue personnel.

Mississippi Head is located on the southwest side of Mount Hood, at an elevation of approximately 7,159 feet.

This subject reportedly appears to be in good physical condition. However, AMR's RAT team is moving to his location to medically examine him. The person was also reportedly very dehydrated -- and was extremely appreciative of water provided by on-scene rescue personnel.

This rescued person will be removed from the mountain as soon as he has been appropriately examined by the RAT team.

Additional updates will follow when provided from the SAR command post.

[END]

Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office