Virginian Injured In Fall At Oregon State Park

TERREBONNE, OR — A Virginian sustained life-threatening injuries when he fell while rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon on Sunday. First taken to Bend, the man was later transported overnight to a Portland hospital for treatment, a Deschutes County sheriff's official confirmed Monday.

Benjamin Schulman, 21, of Alexandria, Virginia, was reportedly trying to "free climb" without ropes or other safety equipment when he fell 125 to 150 feet from a rock face in the southern part of the park, sheriff's officials said. Schulman, after hitting the ground, reportedly rolled another 100 feet down the steep, rocky hillside before coming to rest about mid-slope, roughly 100 feet above the river trail.

Deschutes County emergency responders, including Redmond Fire medics and search and rescue teams, were dispatched to Smith Rock State Park just after 4 p.m. Aug. 26. Deputies and medics who were able to hike into the area where Schulman fell provided aid until search and rescue teams were ready to begin extricating Schulman from the remote area.

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It took emergency responders more than two hours to move Schulman to a place where he could be airlifted to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, officials said. Later Sunday, Schulman was flown to Portland for further treatment. A sheriff's official told Patch on Monday that Schulman, he believes, remains in critical condition.

Investigators reportedly learned Schulman was camping in the park with friends when he chose to make his climb. Schulman's rock-climbing experience is unknown, officials said.

Image via Egmont Strigl/Shutterstock