Release By: Sergeant Jason Wall
Release Date: May 27, 2023
Location: Paulina Lake, Newberry National Volcanic Monument
On May 27th, 2023, at 10:58 am, Deschutes County 911 Dispatch received a 911 call regarding an injured hiker on the Paulina Lakeshore Trail in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near the Paulina Lake Lodge. The caller reported that a 66-year-old female fell while hiking resulting in injuries that prevented her from walking. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers were activated, and a total of 7-SAR volunteers responded to this mission.
Two SAR teams responded to Paulina Lake Lodge to access the trail. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol deputies also responded to this call to assist as the Lakeshore trail was in-part accessible by boat.
At approximately 12:03 pm both teams arrived at the Paulina Lakeshore trailhead. SAR Team 1 arrived to the patient at approximately 12:12 pm and began to evaluate the hiker’s injuries. SAR Team 2 arrived with a wheeled litter. The patient was then transported by wheeled litter to a boat accessible location on Paulina Lake. The patient was loaded onto a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol boat and transported to the Paulina Lake Lodge boat dock arriving approximately 1:15 pm where they met with La Pine Fire / Paramedics. The patient was subsequently transported by ambulance to St. Charles Bend.
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, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.