Oregon logger rescued after being pinned by tree

National Guard conducted 'extremely dangerous' hoist operation to save injured worker

Mar. 11, 2026 at 4:07am

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A logger in the Mount Hood National Forest was rescued by the Oregon National Guard on Monday after being struck and pinned by a falling tree. The logger suffered a broken leg, and firefighters had to hike and climb through difficult terrain to reach and stabilize the victim before the National Guard conducted a dangerous hoist rescue operation to airlift the logger to a local hospital.

Why it matters

Logging is one of the most hazardous occupations, with workers facing risks from falling trees, heavy machinery, and remote work locations. This incident highlights the challenges and dangers that loggers can face, as well as the critical role that emergency responders play in conducting complex rescues in rugged terrain.

The details

Crews responded around 11:15 a.m. to a remote area off Forest Road 4610 and found the logger pinned by a fallen tree, having suffered a broken leg. Firefighters hiked and climbed through steep, densely forested terrain to reach the victim and provide medical care, but an air ambulance was unable to access the location due to the challenging conditions. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office then coordinated with the Oregon National Guard, which responded with a Black Hawk helicopter to conduct a hoist rescue operation and airlift the logger to a local hospital.

  • On Monday, March 11, 2026, crews responded to the incident around 11:15 a.m.
  • The logger was rescued by the Oregon National Guard later that same day.

The players

Oregon National Guard

The state's military force that conducted the dangerous hoist rescue operation to airlift the injured logger to safety.

Estacada Fire District

The firefighters who hiked and climbed through the rugged terrain to reach and stabilize the injured logger before the National Guard rescue.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

The agency that coordinated the aerial rescue resources, including the involvement of the Oregon National Guard.

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What they’re saying

“Fire crews responded to the remote location and were able to locate the injured individual from below the hillside. Access to the patient proved extremely challenging and time-consuming, due to steep terrain, significant elevation change, and numerous downed trees from the logging operation in the area.”

— Estacada Fire District, Officials

“Once crews reached the patient, they provided medical care and stabilized the injured logger. An air ambulance from Life Flight Network was initially requested; however, due to the terrain and dense tree cover, the aircraft was unable to safely access the patient.”

— Estacada Fire District, Officials

What’s next

The logger is recovering at a local hospital after the successful rescue operation.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the inherent dangers of logging work and the critical role that emergency responders play in conducting complex rescues in remote and rugged terrain. It highlights the need for continued safety measures and training to protect loggers, as well as the importance of coordinated emergency response capabilities to handle these types of challenging situations.