By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A pair of injured hikers from Oklahoma were plucked out of a snowfield by a helicopter in East Lewis County after they were spotted from above by waving their orange sleeping bag.
The 58-year-old woman had cut her legs, face and arms as she attempted to help her husband who accidentally slid approximately 60 feet down a snow and ice field yesterday in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
The 62-year-old man struck his head on rocks on the way down and suffered hip pain and possible head trauma, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.
They are currently being treated at Morton General Hospital, Brown said.
The injured couple spent the night waiting for help after making a satellite phone call yesterday to the Forest Service. They were hoisted about 11:30 a.m. today into the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian helicopter.
A pair of Lewis County sheriff’s deputies set off on foot about 7:30 a.m. today trying to locate the man and woman. The couple had relayed they were near Hart Lake, south of Packwood.
Retired sheriff’s detective Dave Neiser flew the sheriff’s office plane over the area this morning looking for signs of the pair. Neiser spotted the orange sleeping bag.
Brown said the couple had hiked in the area before and returned because they loved it so much the last time.
They were only hours into their hike when the accident occurred, she said. They were well-prepared with food and supplies for a four-day trek, according to Brown.
Packwood Search and Rescue as well as the Lewis County Posse horse team assisted in the search this morning, according to Brown.