Coast Guard rescues injured hiker near Yachats, May 1

The Coast Guard rescued an injured hiker on the Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint hiking trail near Yachats, Ore., Saturday, April 29. The man was successfully hoisted into the helicopter and transported to the Coast Guard air facility in Newport, Ore., where he was met by local emergency medical services for further evaluation. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received the report of the injured hiker from Lincoln County 911, stating that the location and apparent injury of the hiker would make a ground rescue difficult, prompting the request for Coast Guard support. A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the Newport air facility launched and was able to extract the hiker without difficulties. “This case illustrates the importance of our hoist-capable assets,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Boswoth, an operations specialist at Sector North Bend. “Because of the difficult terrain this hiker was injured in, our helicopter crews were able to get this man the help he needed when a ground rescue was not an option.” Weather on scene at the time of the incident was reported as 5 to 10 mph winds and clear skies.