(Editor’s Note: Orcas Issues has learned that the man involved in the fall, Don Weston, has died from his injuries. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Carla and his family.)
— from Chief Kevin O’Brien —
Saturday, March 22, 2014, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Orcas Island Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the report of person who had fallen down a cliff in the Raccoon Point neighborhood.
Responders arrived to find an adult male who had fallen approximately 150 feet down a cliff and landed on the beach.
The patient was treated for life threatening injuries and transported in critical condition to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle by a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter.
Due to the challenge of the terrain, responders initially accessed the patient via land and sea with the assistance of the Camp Orkila Landing Craft. Special thanks to Camp Orkila Director Dimitri Stankevich, the U.S. Coast Guard, and all OIFR responders.
Sadly he was my neighbor and friend. He passed away at the hospital. Our prayers are with the family.