One hiker dies, two seriously injured
By Terry Murry on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PILOT ROCK – Umatilla County Search and Rescue responded to a call about three hikers from Pilot Rock. Here is the UCSO news release about the tragic incident.
Yesterday (July 2nd, 2021) at approximately 9am, Umatilla County Sheriff Office Dispatch received a 911 call from Kyler Carter (23) of Pilot Rock stating him and two friends, Cody Watson (21) and Braydon Postma (23) both of Pilot Rock, had been injured in a fall. The three of them had been recreating at the Big Falls on West Birch Creek (a very steep rocky falls) south of Pilot Rock, Oregon and had fallen off a ledge (later determined approximately 50 feet down).
Kyler stated the fall had occurred around 9pm the night before. He had been unable to get cell service at the location of the accident and had to climb back out and hike to a place he could call 911. Cody and Braydon were still at the location where they had fallen and Kyler reported they both had critical injuries. Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (UMASAR) was activated, and Pendleton Fire Department was dispatched, along with LifeFlight. Oregon Emergency Management was notified.
Because of the nature of the injuries and the location, a hoist flight craft was requested. UMASAR requested assistance from the U.S. Forest Service to see if any fire crews were in the area that could respond quickly. UMASAR also contacted Union County Search and Rescue to mobilize their rope team. Umatilla County Sheriff’s deputies and their K-9 unit also responded. A U.S. Forest Service short haul helicopter from McCall, Idaho and an Oregon Army National Guard Black Hawk from Salem, Oregon were deployed for hoist capability.
A Forest Service eleven man fire crew (with fire paramedic) was able to reach the location and provide initial assistance. Upon arrival, Cody Gene Watson, a 21 year old from Pilot Rock, was deceased and both Kyler Carter and Braydon Postma had significant injuries. Additional first responders hiked into the location and a coordinated effort was made to plan the careful extraction of both Kyler and Braydon, who needed immediate medical assistance. The Oregon Army National Guard Black Hawk team was able to extract both Kyler and Braydon and transport them to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon.
Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office deputies took over the death investigation. Members of UMASAR remained with the deceased overnight until around 10am this morning (July 3, 2021), when another Black Hawk crew returned to the scene and was able to assist in recovery. The body was turned over to Burns Mortuary.
Any further information on the condition of Kyler and Braydon is unknown at this time. Thank you to all the responders that assisted in this coordinated effort. Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office extends sincere condolences to the family of Cody Watson.
This news release has been edited with a correction from UCSO to change the name to Kyler twice instead of Cody.
