Rescuers Locate Missing Motorcyclist that Fell off Oregon Coast Cliff

The man was able to honk his motorcycle horn to pinpoint his location that was not visible unless someone stood on the edge of the road.

Salem-News.com

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore. ) - Lincoln County-area police and fire agencies team together Wednesday evening to find an injured motorcyclist who had crashed off a remote US Forest Service Road southeast of Lincoln City.

The creative use of sirens and cell phone communications helped guide police and fire personnel to the injured man who was unaware of his exact location.

At approximately 5:40 PM, a report of a crash was received from 63-year-old Harry Taylor, from Lincoln City, advising he was injured after his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle went off a steep embankment.

Taylor originally reported the crash happened on Schooner Creek Road outside of Lincoln City, but as dispatchers talked to the man it became apparent that he was not sure of his location other than he was about 75 feet off a road and could see the ocean.

Several North Lincoln Fire trucks, an Oregon State Police trooper and a Lincoln County deputy sheriff began searching the area to find Taylor. A US Coast Guard helicopter out of Newport also launched to assist.

Police and fire personnel developed a plan to split up and check different routes in the area, including county roads and US Forest Service Roads.

Working with Taylor, the plan included rescuers using their sirens to help Taylor guide rescue units to him.

As police and fire personnel drove area roads periodically activating sirens, Taylor called and advised he could hear them.

Taylor was able to honk his motorcycle horn to pinpoint his location that was not visible unless someone stood on the edge of the road.

At approximately 7:00 PM North Lincoln Fire personnel found TAYLOR over a cliff on US Forest Service Road 17 off South Drift Creek Road.

The location was about five miles from where he thought he was at when first reporting the crash.

The trooper and deputy responded to the scene and assisted fire personnel.

Taylor was brought up the cliff on a Stokes Rescue Litter and transported to North Lincoln Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.