Rafter rescued after 5-day ordeal in Oregon wilderness

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 26-year-old rafter named Gabriel Vaughn was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after surviving alone in the rugged Oregon wilderness for five days. Vaughn went missing during a rafting trip on the Illinois River, telling his group he planned to hike out toward the Chetco drainage. After a multi-day search operation involving local authorities and the Coast Guard, Vaughn was found injured but alive in the Illinois River Valley, approximately two miles downstream from where he was last seen.

Why it matters

This dramatic rescue highlights the dangers of outdoor activities in remote wilderness areas and the importance of proper preparation, communication, and swift emergency response. The incident also showcases the coordination between federal and local agencies in conducting complex search and rescue operations.

The details

According to authorities, Vaughn was last seen around 4:15 p.m. on Monday while rafting with a group on the Illinois River. He was wearing a blue dry suit, helmet and life jacket when he left the group to hike into the woods. When Vaughn failed to return, a multi-day search operation was launched involving the Josephine County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard said an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend conducted multiple aerial searches throughout the week. On Friday morning, a private party working with search teams found Vaughn in the Illinois River Valley, approximately two miles downstream from where he was last seen. Rescuers determined he could not be safely evacuated on foot due to injuries to his hands and feet and requested helicopter support. The Coast Guard helicopter arrived and lowered a rescue swimmer to hoist Vaughn to safety. He was flown to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay for evaluation.

• On Monday around 4:15 p.m., Vaughn was last seen by his rafting group.
• A multi-day search operation was launched after Vaughn failed to return.
• On Friday morning, Vaughn was found by a private party working with search teams.
• The Coast Guard helicopter rescue occurred on Friday.

What’s next

Authorities have not released details about the extent of Vaughn's injuries or how he managed to survive in the remote terrain for five days. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.