Released by: Deputy Donny Patterson – Assistant Search and Rescue Coordinator
Date/time: 11/28/ 21 at 1110 AM
Location: Dihedrals climbing area at Smith Rock State Park
Injured: 42 year old female – Redmond, OR
On 11/18/21, at about 11:10 AM, a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Deputy was advised of an injury at Smith Rock State Park requiring Search and Rescue assistance. A DCSO SAR volunteer climbing in the area had come upon an injured climber requiring assistance down the trail. It was reported that one of the members in the injured climbers party slid down a climbing rope and impacted her head as she was climbing up. The accident occurred on a climbing route known as “Darkness at Noon”, which is located in the area of the Dihedrals at Smith Rock State Park.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue member who was climbing in the area, remained on scene to provide assistance until further help could arrive. Due to the location of the climber, a wheeled litter rescue was required. A DCSO Special Services Deputy responded to the park, as additional Search and Rescue volunteers were called out to assist. Ten DCSO Search and Rescue volunteers responded to assist.
When Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams arrived on scene, the medical team members began providing patient care and preparing the injured climber for transport by wheeled litter. Once the patient was ready, Search and Rescue members along with a State Park employee, began moving the climber down through some tough terrain, eventually reaching the canyon floor and footbridge. The climber was then transported out of the canyon to an awaiting Redmond Fire / Paramedic ambulance.
This was a team effort and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Redmond Fire and the Oregon State Parks for their assistance in this rescue.
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, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
