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@Cowlitz2Fire
Missing Cowlitz County Man found alive and rescued by firefighters this morning.
A 56 year old resident of Cowlitz County whom has been reported missing for 5 days was rescued this morning and flown to Southwest Washington Medical Center for his injuries.
Citizens in the 4900 block of Sunset Way called 911 at 0930 on the morning of May 21st to report they see tire tracks leaving the roadway and a small green truck at the bottom of the ravine. Units from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue responded to the 911 call, Initially a Battalion Chief, Fire Engine and Ambulance responded along with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s office. The vehicle had left the roadway and traveled 150’ down a steep heavily wooded ravine and came to rest at the bottom on its wheels. Residents in the area described the vehicle as one matching a man that was reported missing more than 5 days ago, Sheriff’s deputies confirmed the vehicle matched the description. Firefighters hiked down the hill through waist deep brush expecting the worst, but found the driver of the truck was still alive but severely injured and ill. Longview Fire Department was requested by the on scene Battalion Chief to assist with their rope rescue technicians sending two Fire Engines a Ladder Truck and a Battalion Chief, a rope system was set up to assist firefighters getting the patient up the steep hillside after he was extricated from his vehicle. Cowlitz 2 Firefighters transported the man by ambulance to meet a Lifeflight helicopter at a local school where they could land safely, he was flown to Peace Health Southwest to receive emergent care.
19 Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Longview Fire department completed the rescue and had the man transferred to a helicopter in about one hour.