Missing for 5 Days in Oregon Forest
A 26-year-old man, missing after a rafting trip on Oregon's Illinois River, was rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter after surviving five days alone in rugged terrain.
Gabriel Vaughn was last seen around 4:15 p.m. Monday near Greenwall Rapids, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Vaughn was wearing blue waterproof gear, a helmet, and a life vest when he left his group to hike into the forest, stating he would find his way out to the Chetco drainage area.
Multi-Day Search Operation
When Vaughn did not return, Josephine County search and rescue personnel, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, launched a multi-day operation. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend conducted multiple aerial searches at the request of the Oregon Search and Rescue coordinator.
Helicopter Rescue
On Friday morning, a civilian search support group located Vaughn in the Illinois River valley, approximately two miles downstream from his last known location. Rescue personnel determined that the victim could not be extracted by land due to arm and leg injuries, requesting helicopter assistance.
The helicopter lowered a rescue swimmer to the scene, safely hoisted Vaughn, and transferred him to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay for examination.
Authorities have not yet released details on how Vaughn survived in the remote area or the specific extent of his injuries. The operation spanned several days, involving coordinated efforts between federal and local agencies.
