SISTERS, OR -- Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers responded to South Matthieu Lake to help a hiker during a medical emergency, Monday. The 41-year-old Los Angeles man called 911 just after 5 p.m. to report he had run out of food and couldn’t get out of his tent due to a medical condition. Jeremiah Kurasz's cell phone was not equipped with GPS and he was camping alone, west of Sisters.
An initial aerial search by a Lifeflight helicopter turned up nothing and search and rescue was deployed to hike in to the area. A subsequent fly-over located Kurasz and the SAR team was able to help him walk to the helicopter. At about 9 p.m. he was flown to the hospital for further evaluation.
The Sheriff's office urges back-country hikers and campers to go with a partner, and pack adequate food and water, along with GPS units and maps.
