Released by: Deputy Aaron Myers, Assistant SAR Coordinator
Date: February 16, 2020
Location: Near Tumalo Falls
Rescued: Mullen, Patricia, 60 year old female Bend, Oregon
On February 16, 2020, at approximately 1110 hours, 911 Dispatch received a call advising a bicyclist, Patricia Mullen, had injured herself near Tumalo Falls. The reporting person told 911 Dispatch that Mullen was crossing a foot bridge near the Tumalo Creek Trail and the South Fork Trail when she fell. At the time she fell, Mullen was carrying her bicycle, which was a fat bike.
Mullen sustained non life threatening injuries, however, was unable to make her way back to the trailhead. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Volunteers were called to assist. At approximately 1245 hours, a SAR Volunteer made contact with Mullen. 7 additional SAR Volunteers arrived with snowmobiles and a ambu-sled to transport Mullen to the trailhead.
The 7 SAR Volunteers rode 2.5 Miles on snowmobile, then hiked approximately 1/2 mile to reach Mullen. They arrived to her location at approximately 1:30 PM. Mullen was hiked 1/2 mile out and transported 2.5 miles back to the trailhead where she was evaluated by Bend Fire. Mullen was transported by Bend Fire to St. Charles for further evaluation.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.