Injured Climbers Airlifted by Salem Helicopter Crew

Oregon Air Guard crews quickly reached Mount Hood from the Salem air facility. File photo By: Tim King

(MOUNT HOOD) - Several climbers involved in a severe fall on Mount Hood have been placed aboard an Oregon National Guard helicopter out of Salem`s 1042nd Medical Company and are now receiving medical treatment in Portland.

It is believed the two seriously injured patients, 31-year old Aaron Dunlop of Newberg, Oregon and 32-year old Jeremy Hawkins of Tigard, fell a total of 500' down the mountain. One was reported to have a serious head injury.

The climbing accident happened on the top of Crater Rock. Wasco County dispatch received the 911 call at approximately 9:30 AM.

It is reported from the scene that at least three people were involved in this Mount Hood climbing accident: `One climbing party of three fell, colliding with an additional four man climbing team, who in turn lost control and crashed into the remaining party who was at the end of this domino chain of events."

A Reach and Treat medical unit that made an immediate response up the mountain successfully recovered the two seriously injured patients, Dunlop and Hawkins, on Mount Hood.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue personnel met the climbing party of five near Crater Rock. Members of the Portland Mountain Rescue Unit continued attending to the immediate needs to the injured climbers, prior to their airlift from the mountain.

A third climber in the accident, 30-year old Brad S. Wood of Tigard, Oregon, was taken to the Timberline Lodge where he talked with reporters. He has a minor head injury.