BAKER CITY, Ore. — A 92-year-old man was rescued by Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers after he abandoned his vehicle, fell down an embankment and survived the night in freezing temperatures in eastern Oregon, police said.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 7, OSP received a call from a person saying the man, Larry Hendrickson, had not arrived at the expected time. The caller said the last they were aware, Hendrickson had been driving west on Interstate 84, near the town of North Powder in the direction of Baker City.
The next morning, troopers found the man's abandoned vehicle on West Airport Road, slightly northeast of Baker City. Nearby, they found Hendrickson down an embankment, covered in vegetation. They said he'd fallen down the embankment and survived below-freezing temperatures overnight. He was conscious and breathing when an OSP trooper and Baker City police officer found him.
Officers gave first aid to Hendrickson until an ambulance arrived and took him to the hospital, where OSP said Hendrickson "is recovering well."
"We are grateful for this positive outcome," said OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy. "Cold weather exposure can be life-threatening and another night in these conditions may have been fatal."
OSP said motorists should always make sure someone else knows their travel plans and intended route before they hit the road.
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