MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST, Oregon — A dramatic aerial rescue unfolded Thursday when an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter successfully extracted an injured logger from a dangerous situation in the remote wilderness of Mount Hood National Forest, located approximately 60 miles southeast of Portland.
The worker became trapped when a tree fell and pinned him during logging operations. Emergency officials from the Estacada Fire District reported that early assessments suggested the victim suffered a fractured leg along with potential additional injuries.
Fellow crew members at the worksite managed to cut through the fallen timber to free the trapped logger’s leg before emergency responders arrived, according to Estacada Battalion Chief Matt Aalto, who spoke with The Associated Press.
Fire department personnel reached the accident site after a challenging trek through fallen debris and steep mountainous terrain that significantly slowed their response time.
Once emergency crews arrived and provided medical stabilization, they discovered that a standard medical helicopter couldn’t land or safely approach the victim due to the difficult landscape and thick overhead tree coverage.
Officials determined that attempting to carry the injured worker out on foot would pose serious risks and consume too much critical time. The Oregon Army National Guard deployed an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with hoisting equipment. Rescue teams secured the logger in a specialized basket and lifted him approximately 200 feet up through the forest canopy to the waiting aircraft. Medical personnel later reported the patient was in stable condition at a nearby hospital.
The rescue operation had a unique twist involving Lt. Tony Hadeed, a paramedic with the Estacada department who happened to be on duty when the emergency call arrived.
Hadeed previously served as a flight medic with the Army National Guard, specifically with the same unit that conducted Thursday’s rescue mission, Aalto explained.
“This was his first time being on the other side of a rescue for Tony, but because of his previous experience, he added additional value with team coordination, site preparation, and patient packaging,” Aalto said.
