County Rope Rescue Team Meets First Test

Rope Rescue equipment during training (Photo: Toledo Fire and Rescue)

The first activation of the Lincoln County Rope Rescue Team took place Monday, April 23, in response to an ATV crash on Barber Mountain. The team is made up of firefighters and first responders from several districts in the county, but train and work together when needed. The Central Division team was called just before 7:00 p.m, with participation by Toledo, Siletz and Newport members. Depoe Bay and South County members were on standby at their stations in case further assistance was needed. The rescue was for the operator of a quad that went about 10 feet off the road. Toledo Fire Division Chief Larry Robeson said the ATV had to be stabilized to keep it from toppling onto the driver, who was about 60 feet below.

Part of the path to the victim was over steep angle terrain, requiring specialized rescuer training and equipment. The team was able to get a paramedic downhill to stabilize the victim and provide pain relief, then they brought the victim back to the ambulance. The rescue took approximately an hour and a half. Oregon Department of Forestry personnel assisted with the rescue. Toledo Fire Chief Will Ewing credited Capt. Dennis Cannon of Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue for bringing the idea of a county rope rescue team to fruition through training and development of procedures.

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High Surf Advisory Through Friday Morning

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory from 10:00 a.m. Thursday through 10:00 a.m. Friday. Seas are expected to build into the upper teens and peak between 20 and 23 feet Thursday night. The swell period will be long – 16 seconds – which will result in powerful breakers in the surf zone. Officials stress that the surf zone will become increasingly dangerous and some minor beach erosion is possible.

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Gleneden Beach Man Arrested on Three Depoe Bay Burglaries

A Gleneden Beach man, Patrick Scott McKillop-Skeahan, 19, has been charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief for three incidents in Depoe Bay in October. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department investigated a burglary on Tillicum Street October 14. Deputy David Boys arrived to find the home severely damaged and items missing. The victim later reported $9 thousand in damage to the home. An incident October 15 on Ridge Place also showed extensive damage to the home and items missing. A third home on Wakash Trail also suffered damage; an investigation shows the crime likely occurred about the same time. Deputy Boys contacted McKillop-Skeahan November 15 because of warrants for his arrest and he was taken into custody. After being interviewed at the jail, he was charged November 23 with two counts of burglary and theft, and three counts of criminal mischief. Bail was set at $430 thousand.

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