Emergency crews rescued the operator of a logging yarder that slid 30 feet down an embankment on the Wild Rose Quarry property east of Kings Valley Highway in Wren, Philomath Fire and Rescue reported.
Dispatched to the scene at 8:22 a.m. Jan. 27, crews arrived to find a man trapped in the cab of a heavily-damaged yarder, Deputy Fire Chief Rich Saalsaa said. Responders found the heavy equipment on its side with the door jammed shut, a situation that required extrication.
“Access was difficult with mud, rock and poor footing as well as the hill incline,” Saalsaa said. “A request was made for a special rescue team to help gain access and secure the equipment from further rolling down the hill.”
However, crews were able to access the man with Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Philomath Police personnel assisting with the lowering of extrication equipment.
“Crews were able to gain access with the rescue tools, removing the door of the cab as well as cutting into the roof,” Saalsaa said, adding that the request for the special rescue team was canceled.
Saalsaa said that about 30 minutes after arrival time, the operator was hoisted out of the cab, placed on a backboard, carried up a hill with the aid of rope systems and loaded into an ambulance. The man transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
No other injuries were reported except for minor bumps and bruises from hauling equipment up and down the side of the embankment, Saalsaa said.
Philomath Fire and Rescue’s original response included an engine crew of three and an incident commander. Another Philomath rescue vehicle with two volunteers as well as two members of the Hoskins-Kings Valley Fire District also responded. Corvallis Fire medics, Philomath Police and BCSO assisted at the scene.
Saalsaa expressed thanks to partner agencies for their “assistance in safely and successfully rescuing a patient under difficult circumstances. It was clearly a team effort.”