A teenager miraculously escaped with minor injuries after plummeting approximately 400 feet down a canyon in Washington State during the Memorial Day weekend, according to authorities.
According to West Mason Fire Chief Matthew Welander, a 19-year-old individual fell on Saturday while attempting to hike beneath the High Steel Bridge.
According to Welander, a rescue team was dispatched to the scene, and they had to use a harnessed firefighter to rappel down the side of the bridge in order to reach the teenager.
He said that they hooked him up into a harness and brought him all the way back up.
The High Steel Bridge, standing at an impressive height of 365 feet, holds the prestigious title of being the tallest railroad bridge ever constructed in the United States, as stated by the Washington Trails Association.
The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the successful rescue in a statement shared on its Facebook page. They also provided accompanying photos of the operation.
The sheriff’s office expressed its gratitude for the tireless efforts of our Special Operations Rescue Team as they successfully rescued him, ensuring that he only sustained minimal injuries.
Rescue attempts are made between three and five times a year, as stated by Welander. However, the outcomes are often grim, with the recovery of a body being the usual result. Welander further mentioned that for every survivor, there are approximately 20 deaths.
“We have plenty of experience in removing deceased individuals from this location,” he remarked.
West Mason Fire issued a warning on its Facebook page on Monday, advising people to avoid hiking down next to the bridge.
Fortunately, the 19-year-old managed to survive the ordeal. Sadly, many of the rescues we undertake are not as fortunate.
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