Clallam County Firefighter/Medics and Olympic National Park crews extricate hiker form Elwha River trail.

Clallam County Firefighter/Medics and Olympic National Park crews extricate hiker form Elwha River trail.

Utah professor rescued along banks of Elwha River

PORT ANGELES — A professor from Brigham Young University in Utah was treated from Olympic Medical Center and discharged Wednesday after being rescued from the banks of the Elwha River on Tuesday.

The 59-year-old professor reportedly had suffered a medical emergency that prevented him from walking out of the area under his own power, according to Sam Phillips, chief of Clallam County Fire District No. 2.

Phillips would not release the man’s name for privacy reasons.

The professor was working with a research team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a trail along the Elwha River about a mile from the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and Olympic Hot Springs Road at about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday when a colleague called 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers to report the medical problem, Phillips said.

At about 3:15 p.m., fire department paramedics and Olympic National Park personnel found the man in stable condition but suffering from an equilibrium issue, Phillips said, meaning the man could not get back to the trailhead on his own.

Medics used a wheeled patient-rescue basket to carry the man the roughly half-mile back to the trailhead to a waiting ambulance by 4:26 p.m., Phillips said.

The ambulance then took him to Olympic Medical Center, Phillips added.

The patient-rescue basket had to be lifted over portions of the trail that were steep or crossed by tree roots, Phillips said.

Phillips said one ambulance, one brush fire engine, one command car and eight firefighters/paramedics from the fire department responded, along with two engine companies, totaling eight personnel, from Olympic National Park’s fire response unit.

Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Immigration fears hit Olympic Peninsula

Law enforcement agencies won’t deport individuals

Local immigrants worry about federal orders

As President Donald Trump steps into office and reports… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioners to discuss sheriff appointment

Three candidates named by Jefferson County Democrats

Eric Spencer, a landscaping and janitorial worker for New Life Open Bible Church, clears snow from a sidewalk next to the church at Sixth and Peabody streets in Port Angeles on Thursday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
After snowfall, cold temperatures expected today

Morning commutes could continue to be icy, weather service says

Public opposes rezone of Port Townsend park

City has funded housing site layout study

Port Townsend Food Co-op sets date for union election

Simple majority needed to approve ballot

OMC board seeking candidates to fill spot

Commissioners also make all seven positions at-large

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take a snowy sled ride on the campus of Port Angeles High School on Tuesday. Overnight snowfall left a mantle of white over much of the North Olympic Peninsula with an additional chance of snow showers forecast through the weekend. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Snow day

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take… Continue reading

Funding freeze may affect Port Angeles grants

Judge extends block of Trump action

City of Port Angeles updates mobile and itinerant vendor code

Effective March 1, process expands definitions, establishes criteria

Port Angeles school board approves criteria for new leader

Directors looking for visionary innovator with extensive experience

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created with the assistance of volunteers Chandra McGuff, left, and Nicole Lemon at a craft table set up outside the Silver Lining Cafe at The Wharf on Saturday on the Port Angeles waterfront. Youngsters were given the opportunity to create gifts and Valentine’s cookies during the event. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s gift

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created… Continue reading