La Pine, Ore. – A 63 year old Washington state woman was treated for unspecified injuries after the snowmobile she was riding struck a group of trees in the Paulina Lake Area. Debbie Baldwin of Washougal, WA was unconscious when medics arrived Sunday around 11:00 am.
She had been snowmobiling at Paulina Lake near the Little Crater Campground entrance. La Pine Fire/Medics could not access the area due to the deep snow. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was activated and a 6 member snowmobile team including 2 SAR Medics was dispatched to retrieve and transport Baldwin back to the 10 Mile Snow Park so La Pine Fire/Medics could transport her to St. Charles Medical Center. Baldwin suffered unspecified injuries but was wearing the appropriate safety gear.
Baldwin was attended to by USFS personnel and family members until the SAR Unit arrived. Baldwin was then transported to the Snow Park in an Ambu-sled without incident by the SAR Team and released to the waiting ambulance.
It was determined from witness statements that Baldwin was trying to execute a side hill turn, accelerated and struck a group of trees on the downhill side of the hill.
