ATV crash near Sumpter injuries Condon woman
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
SUMPTER– (Release from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office) On May 30, 2021 at approximately 10:54 a.m., Baker County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a report of an ATV accident involving multiple occupants near Sumpter. The caller told dispatchers that the ATV rolled 50 feet down an embankment.
A deputy arrived on scene and requested that the Baker County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team be deployed to assist with a rope rescue due to the location of the victim, identified as Betty Jo Reed (60 yoa) of Condon. Search and Rescue members arrived and set up a technical rope rescue operation while medics assisted the victim. Once the rope setup was complete, medics and SAR members loaded the victim onto a backboard/litter and began the trek up the hill. The victim was then transported by medics to the Life Flight helicopter.
After investigation, the deputy determined that Robert Reed (64 yoa) of Condon was operating a Polaris ATV on a spur road off of Silver Creek Road with two passengers on board identified as Betty Jo Reed and their 3 ½ year old grandson. As they were attempting to turn around, the minor child grabbed the throttle causing the ATV to go over the bank. The ATV then rolled approximately three times ejecting all occupants. The minor child was wearing a helmet. Both the operator and the child suffered only minor injuries.
Baker County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Powder River Rural Fire Protection District, Baker City Fire and Rescue, Sumpter Fire Department, Baker County Search and Rescue and Life Flight. This rescue was a prime example of collaboration among the first responders in rural Baker County.
