Released by: Deputy Donny Patterson, Assistant Search and Rescue Coordinator

Released Date: 01/20/2023

Location: Swamp Wells Butte

Person Assisted: 20 year old male, North Hills, CA

19 year old female, Woodland Hills, CA

On 01/19/23 at approximately 3:22 PM, Deschutes County 911 Dispatch Center received a 911 call from the area of Swamp Wells Butte located southeast of Bend. The 911 caller reported that he and his friend had been driving on Forest Service Rd. 1810 near Swamp Wells Butte when their vehicle slid off the road and got high centered in deep snow and ice. 

The caller reported that he could not get his vehicle (2020 Subaru Forester) unstuck and they needed assistance. The caller advised that they were uninjured, they had food, water, and plenty of gas to run their vehicle until help arrived. 

A Special Services Deputy made phone contact with the stuck motorist and attempted to drive to their location.  The depth of the icy snow conditions prevented the deputy from reaching the subjects.  Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was activated, and two SAR volunteers responded to the location in a tracked vehicle (Argo). 

At approximately 6:45 PM (after sunset) the SAR volunteers reached the stuck motorists.  The subjects were then transported out of the area and provided with a ride to a nearby hotel so they could make tow arrangements the following day.  At approximately 8:30 PM all SAR members returned to the SAR Team Office completing this mission

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.