Cottonwood Chronicle

Several rescues made in Idaho County

On July 29, 2024, around 12:34 PM, Idaho County Dispatch received a call from the International Emergency Response Coordination Center. They had received an SOS call from a Garmin inReach device. They advised a 46-year-old male was involved in a motorcycle accident and had a possible broken collar bone and shoulder.
The accident occurred on the Lolo Trail Road, also known as the 500 Road. Due to the storm that passed through on July 24th, vehicle access was limited, and Life Flight was dispatched.
Through several more messages through his In-Reach, he declined Life Flight and just requested assistance in getting off the mountain as his motorcycle was inoperable.
The Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse responded up Highway 12 to approximately milepost 156 to the Doe Creek Road but were unable to get through due to downed trees.
On July 30, 2024, two Idaho County deputies responded with ICSO’s side by side, a four-wheeler and chainsaws. It took over 2 ½ hours to go 11 miles up Doe Creek Road to the intersection of Doe Creek Road and the 500 Road as the two deputies sawed over 32 large, downed trees.
The injured male had been triaged by his riding group and he was resting in a tent. He was then transported to Highway 12 to meet with the Lowell QRU, who then transferred him to the Kooskia Ambulance and taken to Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino.
Sheriff Doug Ulmer wishes to thank the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse, Lowell QRU, and the Kooskia Ambulance for their assistance.
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On August 1, 2024, at approximately 11:07 PM, Idaho County Dispatch received a call regarding a juvenile on their property outside of Kamiah on Ridgewood Drive.
The property owner advised she recognized the male juvenile and advised he was autistic and non-verbal. He was last seen walking on the railroad tracks towards the Rock.
Idaho County Deputies, including two who are certified drone operators, responded and began searching both on the ground and with the drone.
At approximately 1:30 AM, the drone’s infrared camera located the juvenile. Deputies made contact with him, found he was unharmed, and he was turned over to his father.
Sheriff Doug Ulmer would like to thank his staff and everyone who responded quickly to help locate the missing juvenile safely.
*****
On August 1, 2024, at approximately 3:20 PM, Idaho County Dispatch received a call from a male.
He was on a trail off of the Milner Trail, approximately two miles south of White Bird Station. He had become stuck in between two downed trees.
Forest Service personnel was in the area and responded, but he was not at that location. When they made contact with him, he updated his coordinates. He stayed the night in his vehicle, then at approximately 5:00 AM today, an Idaho County Deputy responded, sawed the tree out of his way, and he was able to get out.