WDFW statement Nov. 20, 2024
OLYMPIA - On Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 19, the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s office was notified that a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) contracted employee had initiated a Garmin inReach message requesting assistance near the Eden Valley area in Wahkiakum County. The employee was working on a stream survey targeting returning Coho salmon in the Crooked Creek tributaries when her mapping tool failed, and she was unable to locate her return position.
In addition to the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office, WDFW Police, local search and rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded to locate the employee.
After several hours of intermittent communication with the employee via her Garmin inReach device, rescuers were able to locate her. She received a medical evaluation by emergency medical services on scene and was released.
“We would like to thank the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office, Wahkiakum County Search and Rescue, Cowlitz County Search and Rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard for their quick efforts to locate the employee,” said WDFW Capt. Dan Chadwick.
Media contact: communications@dfw.wa.gov