A 26-year-old rafter, who had been reported missing during an expedition on Oregon’s Illinois River, was dramatically rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter after enduring five days alone in the challenging wilderness.
Gabriel Vaughn was last observed at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Monday near Greenwall Rapids while participating in a rafting adventure with companions, as stated by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
Vaughn, equipped with a blue dry suit, helmet, and life vest, informed his fellow rafters of his intention to hike through the woods toward the Chetco drainage before he separated from the group, the sheriff’s office reported.
When Vaughn did not return, a comprehensive search effort was initiated, involving the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team along with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard noted that an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter team from Air Station North Bend conducted several aerial searches throughout the week after being requested by the Oregon Search and Rescue coordinator.
On Friday morning, a private search group collaborating with the official teams located Vaughn in the Illinois River Valley, roughly two miles downstream from his last known sighting, according to officials.
Rescuers determined he could not be safely evacuated on foot due to injuries to his hands and feet and requested helicopter support, according to the Coast Guard.
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.
Authorities did not immediately release details about how Vaughn survived in the remote terrain or the extent of his injuries.
The search effort spanned several days and required close coordination between federal and local responders, the Coast Guard said.
