CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

JUNE 10, 2010

Crews search for injured hiker near Bungalow

   Crews from Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the U.S. Forest Service, Weippe Ambulance and Life Flight collaborated Tuesday night in the search and transport of an injured hiker near National Forest Service Trail #601, near the Bungalow area on the North Fork of the Clearwater River, according to CCSO.

   At 8:07 p.m. June 1 CCSO received a report from the Forest Service of an injured hiker on the 601 trail. The subject, whose name is unknown at this time, had reportedly fallen approximately 10 feet and sustained possible spinal injuries, according to CCSO.

   The Forest Service dispatched a Canyon Work Center fire crew with EMTs to scene. Weippe Ambulance was called, and a Life Flight helicopter from Lewiston was put on standby.

   The fire crew located the subject and carried him or her approximately three miles to the trailhead, where they met Weippe Ambulance. The Life Flight helicopter, due to weather conditions, had to land near Pierce, so its crew was transported by vehicle to meet the ambulance.

   The hiker was brought to the helicopter and flown to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. The extent of the hiker’s injuries is unknown at this time, according to CCSO.