Injured Hiker LifeFlighted Off Middlepoint Trail

Eighteen-year-old Josh Camacho was LifeFlighted from the Middlepoint Trail area in Columbia County when he was knocked unconscious after falling while attempting to climb a rock wall on Tues., Aug. 22. Camancho, of the Walla Walla area, was hiking with his girlfriend and father, according to a Columbia County Sheriff's Office press release. The group hiked two to three miles off the trail when Camancho decided to try and climb the wall.

Comancho lost consciousness for a short time and sustained numerous head injuries after falling from rock wall onto the wall's rocky base, according to the release. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Columbia County Fire District No. 3 and the Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources, Life Flight and Two Bears Air worked together to perform the rescue.

When medical personnel determined that attempting to carry Camancho out would be dangerous, they called LifeFlight. After surveying the area area and determining that there was no safe place to land, LifeFlight called Two Bears Air out of Kalispell Montana, which has a winch-equipped helicopter. LifeFlight has partnered with Two Bears Air multiple times in the past.

Two Bears Air successfully rescued Camanch using their winch and Camancho was then transferred to the LifeFlight helicopter where he was then transported to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Ida. for treatment.