OVERDUE MOTORCYCLIST LOCATED IN EAST FORT ROCK OHV RIDING AREA

OVERDUE MOTORCYCLIST LOCATED IN EAST FORT ROCK OHV RIDING AREA

Date:  10/27/18

By:  Lt. Bryan Husband, Search and Rescue Coordinator

Overdue Motorcyclist:  Michael Todd, 46 year old male, Vancouver, WA

On 10/26/18, at about 8:40pm, 9-1-1 Dispatch received a report from Kathleen Cooney that her husband, Michael Todd, was overdue from returning from a dirt bike motorcycle ride in the East Fort Rock OHV riding area.  Todd had arrived separately and earlier in the day and had last been seen at approximately 5pm, riding away from their camp at the 2510 Staging area.  Todd was reportedly by himself and riding his orange 2019 KTM dirt bike.  Todd was reported to be in good health and an experienced motorcycle rider.

Two patrol deputies were dispatched to the riding area to begin searching for Todd and a third deputy met with two Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Volunteers to begin planning a further search by DCSO SAR Volunteers if needed.  Search efforts continued until approximately 2:30am and then were temporarily postponed until daylight hours later in the morning.

On 10/27/18, at approximately 0700 hours, 18 DCSO SAR Volunteers and four DCSO Deputies resumed the search for Todd.  At approximately 8:46am, DCSO SAR Volunteers and DCSO Deputies were contacted by motorcycle riders at the 2510 Staging area, reporting another member of their riding party had Todd and was giving him a ride back to our location.  They reported finding Todd walking on OHV Trail 60 south of the staging area.

Todd arrived at the 2510 Staging area a short time later and other than being tired from walking all night, was in good physical condition and did not require medical attention.  Todd reported he was not completely familiar with his new motorcycle’s low fuel warning system and had run out of fuel approximately 12 miles south of his camp.  DCSO SAR Volunteers assigned to the ATV team assisted Todd in retrieving his motorcycle.  Todd was left in the care of his family on scene.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those recreating in the outdoors, to consider carrying with you the ten essentials which include:  a form of navigation (cell phone, GPS and extra batteries), sun protection, insulation (additional clothing), illumination, first aid supplies, fire (waterproof matches or lighter), multi-tool, extra food and water and emergency shelter.  You should also always let someone know where you are going.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service organization providing patrol, criminal investigations, corrections, civil and search and rescue. Special operations include Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with four K9 units. Founded in 1916 and today directed by Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the more than 185,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 180 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

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