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INCIDENT: Search and Rescue Mission on Grayback Mountain
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 01/18/2021 at approximately 5:50 pm
REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Travis Snyder
DETAILS: On Monday, January 18, 2021 at approximately 5:50 pm, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an injured hiker on Grayback Mountain. The hiker was identified as a 42-year-old female who was accompanied by a male who was able to call for help. Search and Rescue volunteers attempted hiking to the location of the two subjects, which was reportedly about one mile from the Grayback Cabin.
Due to extreme conditions, Search and Rescue personnel were unable to reach the two subjects. A Coast Guard helicopter responded to the location on the night of January 18th and dropped off a paramedic with supplies to get all parties through the night. Due to darkness and weather conditions, retrieving personnel from the mountain was not an option.
In the morning hours of Tuesday, January 19, 2021, an Oregon Army National Guard Helicopter attempted to retrieve the two hikers and paramedic however had difficultly due to poor weather conditions. After several attempts, the two hikers and the paramedic were retrieved by an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter and transported to the Medford airport and the female patient is being evaluated for the level of injuries sustained.