Washington Woman Rescued After Horse Accident in Eagle Cap Wilderness
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, August 25th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE — Union County Search and Rescue (SAR) successfully located and rescued a 71-year-old woman who suffered a leg injury from a horse accident in the Eagle Cap Wilderness near Tombstone Lake.
The incident began when an SOS signal was transmitted by a Garmin InReach device, alerting Union County SAR to the emergency. The injured woman was situated approximately 8.5 miles from the West Eagle Trailhead. The initial report, received by 911 dispatchers, indicated the woman’s dire condition, with a potentially severe leg injury, rendering her unable to walk or ride a horse. Visible extensive bruising further emphasized the gravity of the situation.
In response, Union County SAR promptly coordinated with Life Flight Network to deploy a helicopter from Walla Walla. Additionally, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management SAR coordinator was engaged to plan for potential assistance from Oregon Army National Guard aviation resources. A member of the SAR team was airlifted from La Grande airport to the scene, with a second Life Flight helicopter and more SAR personnel on standby at the airport, ensuring adequate resources were available for any contingencies.
Throughout the operation, La Grande Police Department 911 dispatchers bridged communications between the SAR team and the injured party. U.S. Forest Service staff at the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center also played a crucial role in facilitating seamless communication between airport personnel and those on-site.
The first helicopter successfully reached the patient’s location and extraction. The woman was then transported to La Grande airport, from where a City of La Grande Fire Department ambulance rushed her to Grande Ronde Hospital for thorough evaluation. Medical assessment revealed that her injuries were not as severe as initially feared. Consequently, she was discharged later the same morning.
The 71-year-old woman, from Green Acres, WA, expressed gratitude for the timely and efficient response that undoubtedly played a pivotal role in her rescue and recovery. Union County SAR extended appreciation to Life Flight Network, SAR volunteers, and the often unnoticed heroes in local 911 and interagency dispatch centers, highlighting their indispensable contributions to successful emergency responses, particularly in remote and challenging terrains.
