Rescuer Injured as Rescue Team Finds Man In Oak Creek

Search and Rescue officials in Yakima were able to find a man lost in the Oak Creek Wildlife area this week but not before one of the rescuers was injured on the way to find the man. The man says on Tuesday he attempted to drive to Bear Lake in the Oak Creek Wildlife area when he wrecked his vehicle, and it became stuck. A press release says It became dark out and the subject fired 3 shots from his .22 caliber rifle, which is a signal for distress. Another person nearby responded with 3 shots and the two responded back and forth to confirm the distress signal. But no call was placed to the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office at that time.

The elderly man stayed out overnight continuing to walk downstream. The man then followed Oak Creek downstream to a point where he was able to use his cell phone and call for help. Yakima County Search and rescue officials riding ATV's responded to the area but on the way one of the rescuers wrecked his ATV.  The Search and Rescue member suffered multiple broken ribs and both lungs were punctured. They were then faced with getting two men out of the area. The man who was lost was found in good condition and was taken home...the rescue member who was injured was later flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle because of the extent of his injuries.

The man who was lost was checked out but was not injured. He's now back home as rescue officials stress the need for using the distress signal for those who get lost in the woods.