Man Survives Fall into Crater Lake

Monday, May 22nd 2017, 4:31 pm PDT by Spencer Wilson

Updated: 

Monday, May 22nd 2017, 7:31 pm PDT

Man Survives Fall into Crater Lake

CRATER LAKE, Ore– A man is now recovering in the hospital after falling almost 1,300 feet into Crater Lake.

Rescue crews were able to fly in and save the man..

Emergency crews in Ashland got the call around 3:30 Sunday that a man had gotten too close to the edge, and had fallen into down the side of the snowy bank. Rangers estimate the man was only 100 feet up from the water, and would have fallen in if he hadn’t caught himself at the last second.

A Helicopter Pilot with Brim Aviation and Air Rescue Systems said it was especially difficult flying into the crater because of the reflection off the water, but they were able to locate the man thanks to local park rangers.

Rescue crews say the man was wearing vans, skinny jeans and a t-shirt. Rangers were surprised the man even survived the fall, but also survived in the cold. He was still conscious after the massive fall.

“We’ve had fatalities occur from falling into the caldera,” Chief Ranger Kean Mihata said. “It’s closed for a reason, it’s a dangerous place to be.”

Mihata said the higher temperatures this time of year causes the snow to get slicker, and cornices to crumble. He said it’s best to just stay back behind the line and get your view of the lake from there.

Emergency crews say the man who fell has gone through surgery, but is expected to be alright.

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