Oregon State Police said Monday that troopers recently rescued a 92-year-old man who abandoned his vehicle and spent the night in below-freezing temperatures in Eastern Oregon.
OSP said Larry Hendrickson is recovering well after his ordeal last week in Baker County.
Troopers received a report last Tuesday afternoon about an overdue driver who last known to be traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 283. The following morning, troopers located the vehicle abandoned on West Airport Lane. A short distance away, the troopers found Hendrickson down an embankment.
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OSP said Hendrickson had fallen down the embankment and was covered in vegetation when discovered. He was conscious and breathing.
Temperatures were still below freezing when he was found. Officers gave first aid until emergency medical responders arrived and took him to the hospital.
“We are grateful for this positive outcome. Cold weather exposure can be life-threatening and another night in these conditions may have been fatal,” said OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy.
OSP did not state why Hendrickson left his vehicle.
