72-year-old hiker stranded without food, water for days is rescued, Oregon police say

A 72-year-old Oregon man was rescued by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office after he had been missing for over two days in the wilderness with no food or water.

The man left on foot in the area south of Hill’s Creek Reservoir in Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 1, according to a news release from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. He did not bring food, water or any other survival supplies as he thought he would return to camp before it got dark.

He was reported missing to authorities on Oct. 2, officials said.

Lane County search and rescue crews began extensively searching the area, officials said.

The 72-year-old man was found on Oct. 3 at around noon, according to the news release. Alive but in need of urgent medical attention, he was airlifted by the Oregon Army National Guard and taken to a hospital in the Eugene/Springfield area.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to bring the following items and plan accordingly when going out into the wilderness:

  • Water

  • Food

  • Proper clothing

  • Lighting

  • Shelter

  • Navigation equipment

  • Have a travel plan

Eugene is about 100 miles south of Portland.

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