Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports on Thursday June 17, at 12:12 p.m., his Deputies responded to a rescue off Sheep Creek Road off Highway 20, east of Sweet Home. Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call of a male falling 40-feet down a cliff. 

The injuries of the male were unknown at the time and appeared urgent. During the immediate response, Deputies contacted Linn County Search & Rescue, Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Lebanon Fire Department Rope Techs and Life Flight. This area is remote, difficult to access due to steep banks, cliffs and miles of gravel roads. 

Upon arrival, Deputies could see Lloyd Barton, 76, of Eugene, unresponsive at the bottom of the cliff. Rescue teams worked to descend to Barton. As time progressed, it was clear Barton was deceased. Rescue teams worked to recover Barton and he was transported to the Sweet Home Funeral Chapel for additional assessment by a Medical Examiner. 

A witness described Barton attempting to access the area to fish. While attempting to descend the steep terrain and cliffs to the river, Barton lost his footing and began tumbling down hundreds of feet before falling off a 40-foot cliff. The witness walked out of the area, contacting a logging crew who arranged to contact 9-1-1.   

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Lebanon Fire Department, Oregon Department of Forestry, Sweet Home Fire Department, Life Flight and Eugene Police Department.