FORKS — An overdue mushroom hunter was rescued by Clallam County Search and Rescue in a West End forest today.
Curtis Price, 53, of Forks was showing early signs of hypothermia when he was found in a heavily wooded area off La Push Road at 7:44 a.m., Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. Randy Pieper said.
Price was taken to Forks Community Hospital for evaluation.
The Sheriff’s Office had received a report of an overdue person from Mindy Gaddie at about 11 p.m. Friday, Pieper said.
Gaddie had been trying to find Price, who was picking mushrooms near the end of an unnamed dirt road at about milepost 7 on La Push Road.
“Price sent a text message to Gaddie indicating he was cold and wet and could hear someone honking a horn at about 10:22 p.m.,” Pieper said in a news release.
Deputies were unable to find Price, who had responded to their shouts, due to heavy brush and dense forest, Pieper said.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Teams joined the search cutting brush as they looked for Price throughout the night.
U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and Civil Air Patrol were staged to search in the daylight.
SAR Teams, with help from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, conducted cellphone forensics on Price’s phone and determined where he would likely be found, Pieper said.
“SAR Teams responded to that area and were able to locate Price and assist him out of the woods,” Pieper said.
Price was able to walk out of the woods under his own power.
Deputy Mike Leiter, a Search and Rescue coordinator, directed the search.
“Price was not prepared for the woods, lacking basic gear and clothing,” Pieper said.
“We suggest when embarking into the woods to have the appropriate gear and clothing. The gear should include emergency blankets, whistle, GPS or compass, flashlight, hydration, rain gear and food.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
