Blind hiker with heat exhaustion left behind on trail as friend finds help, crews say
A 55-year-old hiker, who is legally blind, started to suffer from heat exhaustion on a trail in southern Oregon, so his friend set out to find help, officials said.
The man and his friend began a multiday hiking trip July 3 or July 4 on the Rogue River Trail, the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Rogue River Trail is about 38.2 miles and takes over 15 hours to complete, according to AllTrails. It’s described as a challenging and scenic hike.
After a couple of days into the trek, the man started to experience heat exhaustion symptoms, rescuers said.
His friend left him alone on the trail with his dog and went to find cellphone service on Gold Beach, the Coast Guard said.
Rescuers found the injured hiker July 8 and hoisted him off of the trail with his dog. The terrain was “too rough for a wheel litter,” officials said.
A video shows the man and his dog being hoisted into a helicopter.
What are signs of heat exhaustion?
When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused. People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.
If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:
Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.
Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.
Carry a first-aid kit.
Pack essentials only.
Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.
Spray yourself with water to cool down.
Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.
Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.
Wear waterproof clothing.
This story was originally published July 10, 2024 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Blind hiker with heat exhaustion left behind on trail as friend finds help, crews say."
