A harrowing incident unfolded Friday when a hiker was struck by a falling rock while traversing the Wahclella Falls Trail near the Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River Gorge. Following the impact, the woman reportedly fell approximately 40 feet off the trail, necessitating a complex rescue operation. KATU News reported that Cascade Locks Fire firefighters used rope systems to reach and safely extract the injured hiker from the rugged terrain.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office stated that the incident occurred less than a mile from the trailhead. A 911 caller alerted authorities to the hiker's peril after a rock had struck her, leading to her significant tumble down the trail. The swift actions of a passing hiker—who provided first aid and managed to halt the bleeding from a laceration—were crucial in the initial moments before rescue teams arrived on the scene, as indicated by a report from KPTV.
Once stabilized and brought back to the trailhead by rescue personnel, the woman was transported by ambulance to meet a life flight helicopter, which whisked her away to a hospital. As of the last update from news outlets, her exact condition remained uncertain, with responders not having released specifics regarding the severity of her injuries. However, it was confirmed that she was conscious and breathing at the time of her extraction from the trail.
While the full extent of the hiker's injuries is yet to be disclosed, KOIN 6 News noted that officials had confirmed she suffered "some type of laceration". The story is still developing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
