Oregon Woman Dies as Rescuers Attempt to Lift Her Out of Icy Waters in a Remote Mountain Region

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — Emily Hopfer died while rescuers attempted to remove her from the icy waters of a river in a remote section of the Burnt Mountain in Coos County. The woman had been clinging to a log in the creek for more than two hours while waiting for the arrival of rescuers.

Erick Lowe was also on the scene. He was taken to Douglas County Hospital for treatment.

A Text-to-911 Message Alerted Rescuers

According to a statement by Coos County Sheriff, Gabe Fabrizio, a text-to-911 message from Apple SOS via satellite was received at 4.20 p.m. by the North Coos Dispatch Center.

The only information known to the dispatcher was that ‘…they were stuck’ in the river at the Doerner Fir Trailhead in a remote area of Burnt Mountain.

Coos County Search and Rescue and members of the Myrtle Point Fire Department responded to the call.

Emily Hopfer Was Clinging to a Log in the River

On arrival, rescuers saw Emily clinging to a log in the stream. Erick Lowe was also on the scene and rescuers learned that the woman had already been in the river for two hours.

Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office with Swift-Water-Rescue training constructed a rope system, enabling a deputy in a dry suit to reach Emily. As he prepared to move her, she went into cardiac arrest, according to Sheriff Fabrizio.

Rescuers then moved Emily out of the water and applied lifesaving techniques. The Sheriff says she could not be revived after applying CPR and other medicines available to rescuers.

The Water Was Very Cold

“The water was very cold, and first responders found themselves in a snow slurry in the area,” said Fabrizio.

Coos County deputies had to remain with the body overnight until the arrival the following morning of rescuers from the Coos Forest Protection Association, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Myrtle Point, Coquille, Greenacres, Bandon, and Camas Valley fire departments.