PORT ANGELES — First Responders from multiple Clallam jurisdictions rescued a Port Angeles man who fell down an embankment at the former Elwha Dam site on the Elwha River near state Highway 112.
At about 7 p.m. Sunday, the man was hauled to safety using ropes, a harness and litter, according to Assistant Chief Mike DeRousie of Clallam Fire District No. 2.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King identified the man as Brandon Field, 22.
He was transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles with leg and back pain and was treated and discharged, King said.
District 2 arrived at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday after a report of a man falling about 20 feet down an embankment at the former Elwha Dam site near Highway 112. Rescuers climbed down farther — about 40 feet — to help Field.
Where he fell was just upstream of the former dam. The river narrows and goes through rapids and rebar that remains at the former dam site.
Rescuers said if Field had fallen downstream from the site, they could have used a raft to get him down the river instead of pulling him up the embankment.
Field’s friend, Tim Parrish of Port Angeles said the two were hiking at the former dam site when they decided to go down to the river near a sign hanging over the river that warns rafters not to go through the former dam site.
They saw a path and figured they would be able to get down, he said.
“I don’t know if he lost his grip, his footing or what, and he just slipped,” Parrish said. “I think they said it was 30 or 35 feet.”
DeRousie said Field tried to grab onto rocks on his way down, but was unable to stop the fall.
As soon as he fell, Parrish said he knew he needed to climb down and help. He said he helped soak his friend’s swollen leg in the frigid Elwha River to bring down the swelling and quell the pain.
He saw people on the other side of the river and yelled for them to call 9-1-1 and to get help. Parrish also called emergency dispatchers and showed emergency responders where his friend was.
Before responders arrived they had already asked the county technical rescue team to prepare, DeRousie said.
“As soon as we confirmed we needed them they were already on their way,” he said. “Everybody did their jobs, nobody else got hurt and he got him out safely.”
Eighteen people from several agencies assisted in the rescue. DeRousie said there were plenty of people to pull the man back up the embankment.
Personnel from Clallam Districts 2 and 3, Port Angeles Fire Department and Clallam County Search and Rescue assisted.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
Reporter Sarah Sharp contributed to this report.
