Update 8-15-18 2:00 p.m. - Sheriff Nelson advises that Matthew Matheny was consious and talking when rescue teams found him. He has been transported by Life Flight helicopter to South West Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington. His parents were at the base camp when he was found and they are on their way to the hospital. While it does not appear Matthew experienced any life threatening injuries he will be evaluated at the hospital to ensure he is OK. We are unable to describe Matthew's medical condition with any greater detail at this time.
Matthew was found the general area that was discussed in previous media releases by the Volcano Rescue Team out of Skamania County. We know there is a lot of interest to talk with the rescuers and we are reaching out to them to see if they are willing to talk with the media and if so, how best to make that happen. We will release that follow up informatoin on Flash News Net.
Sheriff Nelson will be at the base camp until about 2:45 p.m. He will arrive back in the local area about 5:00 p.m. Media may reach him on his cell at 360-751-8101. He will be putting out more details about the rescue efforts later today/tonight.
CCD Rosenzweig
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UPDATE: 8-15-18 Noon: Searchers have found Matthew Matheny alive up on the flanks of Mt. St. Helens. He is being transported by helicopter to an area hospital.
IN our efforts to get this message out rapidly, we do unfortunately do not have any more details. Sheriff Nelson will be making a more detailed public statement as soon as he gets in to an area that allows for cell and internet connections.
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Update #4; 8-14-18 10:45 a.m. Searchers on Mt. St Helen's have new information that gives them hope as they continue on Day 4 for the search Matthew Matheny.
Search Coordinators have results from cell phone records that suggest that Mr. Matheney cell phone was in the general area of the blue lake trail seveal miles up towards Mt. St. Helens. They also were contacted by some people who drove up to the base came from Vancouver yesterday to tell them that they saw a man wearing grey colored clothing in the area that is is consistent with the cell phone data. Search leaders are also utilizing special "virtual" search software that is a probability based program that is intended to give searchers places to look. This modeling tool suggest that searchers look an area, which is similar to where the cell phone data, and that one witness saw someone.
This information is giving serachers more hope as they continue to expand their efforts to locate Mr. Matheny.
It is critically important people continue to call us if they saw someone that might be Mr. Matheny even if it is different that other reports. We always keep an open mind about all tips.
Detective Zo Gladson has been assinged the missing persons case and all tips are being routed to him.
Sheriff Nelson has been in contact with Sheriff Brown in Skamania County as part of the area being searched is in Skamania County. Sheriff Nelson is on site today and will be there until early afternoon.
CCD Charlie Rosenzweig
C: 360-751-8103
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Update #3: 8-13-18 12:00 p.m. Sheriff Mark Nelson will be at the Search Base Camp and availble for interviews at 2:30 p.m. This is at at the Forrest Service Road 8100 (N81) and FS Road 8123. Directions are availble on google, or in links in previous releases below. Media who are unable to make it to the site can call and speak with CCD Charlie Rosenzweig by phone (360) 577-3092.
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Update #2: 8-13-18 10:00 a.m. Searchers continue to search for Mr. Matheny in the Blue Lake area near Mt. St Helens. The area has been thoroughly search since Saturday but unfortunately they have not located any signs of Mr. Matheny.
The Cowlitz Sheriff;s Office is very interested in talking with anyone who was in the area on Thursday or Friday, even if they did not see Mr. Matheny or the silver/grey subaru SW. Our number is 360-577-3092.
Search Teams , inlcuding K9 serach teams, drone operators, and other types of search resources are all coordinated through the Washington State Department of Emergency Management.
We have a detective assigned to the case and he has talked with many folks who were up in the area. There is nothing that suggests that any foul play is involved in this case.
We will continue to profice updates as new information is obtained.
CCD Rosenzweig,
C: 360-751-8103
Update: 8-12-18 12:45pm: Sheriff Nelson will be available at the scene for media interviews. Media will need to be on site at 2:00 p.m. Sheriff Nelson will leave at 2:45 p.m. The location will be at the intersection of Forrest Road 81 and 8123.
Here is a link for directions. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/blue-horse-trail. Google maps also does take the blue lake / NF8123 as a location for directions but there is no cell coverage anywhere close to the site
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Cougar, Wash - The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office is about 24 hours in to the search for a man missing on the Blue Lake Trail off of Forrest Road 81 near Mt. St. Helens. They are asking anyone who hiked the Blue Lake trail since last Thursday to call the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office at 360-577-3092.
They would also like to have people look at the attached photos of the car and Mr. Matheny in case they may have seen him in the last few days.
Missing person is Matthew B. Matheny 40 years of age of Warren, Ohio. He was last seen at about 0700 hours of 8-9-2018 when he left to go to Mt St Helens, driving a local friend’s gray Subaru Outback. Matheny’s friends filed a missing person report with Clark County Sheriff’s Office when he failed to return.
On 8-11-2018 Skamania County Dep. Barker located the Subaru Outback at the Blue Lake Trailhead in Cowlitz County. The vehicle was unoccupied.
Matheny is a white male, 6-4, 230 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He may be wearing a gray Cleveland Browns sweatshirt, shorts and sandals.
Cowlitz County Search and Rescue responded with ground search teams and Unmanned Aerial Surveillance operators. The mission is ongoing.
Attached are pictures of Matheny and the Subaru Outback he was driving. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office would like to hear from anyone who may have seen Matheny or the vehicle since Thursday, 8-9-2018.
CCD C. Rosenzweig