On Friday 1/17/2020 at about 11:00 pm the Sheriff’s office received a call from a motorist that was stuck in the snow near the Nicolai area. Deputies responded and searched the area but were unable to locate the subject.  Due to poor cell phone coverage in the area Deputies were only able to communicate briefly with the subject through text messages, but were unable to get his name, location or vehicle description.

Through investigation early Saturday morning Deputies learned the person who called was Wayne Bittner, from Kelso, Washington.  Upon further investigation it was learned that Wayne comes to the area semi-regularly and likes to ride his side by side in the Nicolai/Shingle Mill OHV area.  Deputies, Search and Rescue volunteers, Westport Fire personal and emergent volunteers in the area started searching for Wayne.  Wayne’s side by side was located off an OHV riding trail near the 8-mile mark on Nicolai mainline, however Wayne was not with his machine.  A search was conducted in the area and Wayne was located a short time later, deceased, from hypothermia.

The Sheriff’s office would like to thank all the volunteer’s who assisted with the search, especially the members of the Westport Fire Department and the emergent volunteers who helped to ride the OHV trails.  Snow in the area was up to 18” deep which made the driving and searching conditions very treacherous and hazardous.

This is a very sad and unfortunate outcome.  The Sheriff’s office would like to remind anyone going to play in the snow to make sure they are dressed for the weather and have emergency supplies with them.  Also let a family member or loved one know where you will be going and if possible take someone with you.