1 dead, 3 rescued after Skamania County authorities respond to 3 rescue calls in 12 hours

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office responded to three different rescue missions in a 12-hour period between the night of Oct. 27 and the morning of Oct. 28, saving three different people from rugged backcountry and icy weather. A fourth person died from an unreleased medical emergency before rescuers could arrive.

At about 6:18 p.m., dispatchers received a call about a mushroom picker lost near Forest Service Road 43 northeast of Carson. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team responded to the scene and found the man after hours of searching.

“After a grueling four-hour search, the team members were able to locate the mushroom picker and return him safely to his vehicle,” the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said.

Roughly an hour later, two hikers called for a medical emergency near Norway Pass northeast of Mount Saint Helens.

“One of the hikers reported her hiking partner was suffering from a medical event and they were unable to continue,” the sheriff’s office said. “Additionally, she reported they were experiencing adverse weather, including snow, in the area.”

With Forest Service Road 25 impassable, the SCSO’s Volcano Rescue Team was initially unable to reach their location. A U.S. Forest Service officer and Lewis County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to reach the hikers from the north. The rescuer hiked to the couple’s last-known coordinates and attempted to follow their footprints, but was unable to locate them.

After hours of unflyable conditions, an air unit from U.S. Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island and the Volcano Rescue Team whereas re-deployed to the area during the early morning hours of Oct. 28. At about 12:30 a.m., Naval pilots located the hikers.

“Unfortunately, the male hiker was located deceased, succumbing to the reported medical event, but the female reporting party survived the incident,” the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said. “Both hikers were recovered from the area and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.”

At about 5:28 a.m. on Oct. 28, rescuers were called for a third rescue involving a motorcyclist calling for help using the SOS feature on his cell phone.

“The subject reported his motorcycle was ‘stuck’ and he was too exhausted and cold to continue,” the sheriff’s office said.

The man’s GPS coordinates showed he was located south of the Forest Service Road 41, southeast of Lookout Mountain. Volunteers from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Silver Star Search and Rescue Teams responded to the scene.

“After an extensive response to this very rugged area, team members were able to locate the motorcycle rider and assist him back to the Search and Rescue base at approximately 4:30 p.m.,” the sheriff’s office said.

The man did not require medical treatment and was dropped off at home by one of the volunteer rescuers.

“These searches were incredibly taxing to both the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and the volunteers who serve our community,” the sheriff’s office said. “However, despite the extensive time spent searching in adverse weather conditions, our amazing volunteers continued to push forward and serve our community in the most selfless, professional capacity.”