Gresham Fire's rope rescue closes key stretch of Stark Street

Hiker hospitalized after falling 150 feet from embankment near Troutdale

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:28am by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gresham Fire crews rescued a hiker who fell about 150 feet down an embankment east of Troutdale on Sunday, leaving them with a broken femur and skull fractures. The rescue closed a stretch of Southeast Stark Street for over an hour while firefighters used a rope system to bring the victim up to the road and into an ambulance.

Why it matters

Stark Street is a major thoroughfare in Gresham, and the closure due to the rescue operation caused significant traffic disruptions in the area. The incident also highlights the dangers of hiking in remote areas and the importance of emergency response teams being prepared for complex rescue operations.

The details

According to reports, the hiker fell approximately 150 feet down an embankment near Troutdale on Sunday. Gresham Fire crews were called to the scene and used a rope system to carefully extract the victim, who suffered a broken femur and skull fractures. The rescue operation closed a key stretch of Stark Street for over an hour as the victim was transported to a nearby hospital.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday.
  • The rescue operation closed a stretch of Stark Street for over an hour.

The players

Gresham Fire

The local fire department that responded to the rescue call and conducted the rope rescue operation.

Troutdale

A nearby town where the hiker fell down an embankment, requiring the Gresham Fire rescue response.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the challenges faced by first responders in conducting complex rescue operations, especially in remote or difficult-to-access areas. It also highlights the impact that such incidents can have on local transportation and infrastructure.