Snowmobile rescued after accident in remote Yakima County

A snowmobiler is recovering from his injuries after being rescued by helicopter after a snowmobiling accident in a remote area of the Yakama Tribal Reservation.

According to a press release from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office, the accident was reported to dispatchers at around 1:40pm Thursday, after the victim crashed into a tree in the HellRoaring Canyon.

The 44-year old Wasco man's companions reported that they believed he may have cracked some ribs, and were going to try transporting back to where their vehicles were parked. At that point, Yakima County's Search and Rescue team was contacted to begin mobilizing in case the group wasn't able to make it out.

Another call about 20 minutes later reported that the victim was going in and out of consciousness, and that the rugged terrain of the HellRoaring Canyon area in a remote and steep section of the Yakama Reservation on the South East side of Mount Adams would require helicopter access to rescue the patient.

The Yakima Training Center’s United States Army Air Ambulance Detachment (USAAAD), or “Dustoff” unit, was available and received launch clearance around 2:45pm. 

It took about 25-minutes for the Dustoff to get to the area and locate the group.

The helicopter transported the victim to Astria Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery for internal injuries.  Deputies say the man is expected to recover.