Date: 01/10/18
By: Lt. Bryan Husband, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator
Overdue Hiker: Jared Irick, 20 year old male, Redmond, OR
Reporting Party: Janet Irick, 58 year old female, Redmond, OR
Narrative:
On 01/09/18, at about 7:31pm, Janet Irick telephone 9-1-1 Dispatch reporting her son, Jared Irick, was overdue from returning from his hike at Smith Rock State Park. Janet reported Jared had left their Redmond home at about 3:30pm to hike at the park. When Jared did not return home soon after dark, Janet drove to the park and located Jared’s vehicle in the parking lot. Janet attempted to locate Jared without success and then called friends, family and 9-1-1 Dispatch for assistance in locating Jared. Jared was reported as wearing blue jeans and a dark gray t-shirt, with no additional safety equipment (flashlight, cell phone, additional clothing, etc).
Two Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the park and met with Janet to gather more information, while 18 DCSO SAR Volunteers were assembled to assist with the search for Jared. AirLink also assisted with an aerial search as DCSO SAR Volunteers on board utilized a hand held FLIR device (in an attempt to locate Jared via his body’s heat signature).
Friend’s of the Irick’s also responded to the park and began searching. One of the Irick’s friends heard what they believed to be a call for help coming from the northeast end of the park. Jared was located in that general area on the Wolf Tree Trail, near the Burma Road Trail. Jared was wet and cold, but able to hike out on his own with his friend and DCSO SAR Volunteers. He was reunited with his mother, Janet, and other friends in the nearby parking lot.
Jared had hiked the Wolf Tree Trail to the Burma Road Trail and a short distance beyond. He had become lost after dark and at one point entered the river in an attempt to cross to the other side. He rightfully determined the river crossing was too dangerous and turned back. Jared eventually observed the headlamps of searchers and called out for assistance.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those recreating in our many outdoor locations, to always plan for the unexpected. Even short hikes can get extended for unforeseen reasons. A cell phone with battery charging device, small first aid kit, extra clothing, emergency shelter, extra food and water, flashlight, etc. can make a big difference when the unexpected happens to either you or someone you come in contact with.
