Linn County Undersheriff Paul Timm reports on July 24, 2018, at 2:45 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a call that a hiker
on the Pacific Crest trail was vomiting, cramping, and severely dehydrated.
The Sheriff’s Office determined that 35-year old, Rudy Santiago Moreno of Edinburg, Texas, was hiking the Pacific Crest trail and was on the second day of a planned ten day trip. The injured subject was at 6000 feet elevation and 9 miles from the Pamelia Lake trailhead.
The Linn county Sheriff’s Office sent Search and Rescue teams to the Pamelia Lake and Bingham trails. While rescuers were en route to Mr. Moreno’s location it was learned that his condition was not improving and a request for air assets from the Oregon Army National guard was made.
At approximately 7:45 p.m., a helicopter from the Oregon National Guard hoisted Mr. Moreno from the trail and took him to the Salem Airport. An ambulance was requested to meet the Blackhawk at the airport and he was transported to the Salem hospital where he was treated.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon Army National Guard, Linn County Mounted Posse and Linn County Amateur Radio.