Jim Ryan
The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. — A 28-year-old man was rescued Saturday after accidentally cutting himself with a machete while hiking in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, deputies say.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the man called 911 after hitting himself in the leg with the machete. He and his hiking partner wrapped the wound and started hiking out, deputies said, but the duo was a couple miles from the trailhead.
The man walked as far as he could and met responders on the trail, according to the sheriff’s office. He was given aid and wheeled to the trailhead in a litter.
An ambulance that was at the trailhead took him about a half-mile to a waiting helicopter, which took him to a hospital.
The sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post that the man was hiking northwest of Camp Sherman, but it didn’t specify his destination.
Deputies reminded people that statewide search and rescue resources are stressed during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We ask people to please be extra cautious during this time and to choose where they go wisely,” the sheriff’s office said.
All developed recreation areas in most of Oregon and Washington’s national forests are closed to the public, including all trailheads, boat ramps, day use sites, sno parks and campgrounds.
Forest service roads and dispersed areas are open to the public, as well as trails not accessed by developed trailheads.
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©2020 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.)