Clackamas County Search & Rescue Successfully Rescues Injured Climber on Mount Hood

The patient was airlifed to Emanuel Hospital‏ by an Oregon National Guard helicopter.

Oregon's Mount Hood Courtesy: City of Gresham

(MOUNT HOOD, Ore.) - Search and Rescue personnel on Mount Hood have successfully rescued a patient with a broken leg from the Sandy Glacier area.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Jim Strovink, says the patient is being airlifted by an Oregon National Guard helicopter from Mount Hood and transported directly to Emanuel Hospital, in Portland.

He says the patient is 27-year old Kristopher R. Haskins of the Seattle, Washington area where he is employed by the University of Washington, in Seattle.

Kristopher Haskins' mother in Yakima, Washington had been advised early by Sheriff's Office personnel of the ongoing rescue effort for her son on Mount Hood, Strovink said.

"In talking with his mother at approximately 3:00 p.m. this afternoon Jan Haskins stated, "The waiting was the most difficult, but you all did a fine job and I am very appreciative – Thank you everyone for rescuing my son – Good job!"

Strovink says the rescue scene was situated along Lolo Pass Road, on Mount Hood. At 12:45 p.m. this National Guard helicopter airlifted several rescue personnel to the location of the patient in the Sandy Glacier area on the southwest face of Mount Hood.

It was determined early on by dispatchers that Haskins had fallen a significant distance at approximately 5:00 a.m.

He remained conscious in spite of the fall and broken leg, Strovink said.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, activated a Search and Rescue mission (SAR) and summoned the assistance of American Medical Response and their Reach & Treat specialists; Mountain Wave Communications and Portland Mountain Rescue mountaineers.

This southwest face of Mount Hood activity is centralized with a SAR Command Post established on Lolo Pass Road, at the 1828 road junction.

This is a very rugged location to access and not suitable for large trucks. That is why the Oregon National Guard was summoned to assist with the airlift of the patient from the area.