74-year-old man rescued after falling 40 feet near Sahalie Falls

A 74-year-old man was rescued Wednesday after falling nearly 40 feet off a cliff near the base of Sahalie Falls, northeast of McKenzie Bridge.

Sweet Home Fire and Emergency Medical Services District responded to the incident at 10:32 a.m. Wednesday, and rescue crews found the man near the base of the falls along with bystanders providing assistance.

“Fortunately, he suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but was unable to walk. He was very cold because he was so close to the waterfall,” the fire department said in a press release.

Lane and Linn County Search and Rescue teams set up a rope system to lift the man “up the cliff to the trail, where he was then carried back to a parking lot approximately a half-mile away,” the release said.

The man was then taken by Life Flight to Riverbend Hospital. The helicopter temporarily closed Highway 126.

The fire department reminds everyone to “plan ahead and know your limits to stay safe” when enjoying outdoor activities.

Statesman Journal intern Emma Logan contributed to this report.

Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is the host of the Explore Oregon podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking in Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him on the X at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared in the Salem Statesman Journal: Man rescued after 40-foot fall near Sahalie Falls in Oregon