INJURED SNOWMOBILE RIDER AT PAULINA LAKE
Date: January 24, 2016 at approximately 11:04a.m, Paulina Lake Area
Injured Rider: Debbie Baldwin, 63 years of age, Washougal, WA
NARRATIVE
On January 24, 2016 at about 11:04a.m., Deschutes County 911 received a call of an injured snowmobile rider at Paulina Lake near the Little Crater Campground entrance. The reporting party stated that a 63 year old female (Debbie Baldwin) had struck a tree and was unconscious. La Pine Fire/Medics could not access the area due to the deep snow.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was activated and a 6 member snowmobile team including 2 SAR Medics was dispatched to retrieve and transport Baldwin back to the 10 Mile Snow Park so La Pine Fire/Medics could transport her to St. Charles Medical Center. Baldwin suffered unspecified injuries but was wearing the appropriate safety gear.
Baldwin was attended to by USFS personnel and family members until the SAR Unit arrived. Baldwin was then transported to the Snow Park in an Ambu-sled without incident by the SAR Team and released to the waiting ambulance.
It was determined from witness statements that Baldwin was trying to execute a side hill turn, accelerated and struck a group of trees on the downhill side of the hill.
Sgt. Ronny Dozier
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
Search and Rescue Operations Manager
