Stranded motorists rescued on Bear Camp Road

Search and rescue teams from two counties headed into the frigid wilderness about 55 miles east of Gold Beach Friday night to rescue two men whose vehicle was stuck in the snow.

It was the second time in 24 hours that someone became stuck on Bear Camp Road – the same road that claimed the life of a man who went looking for help after his family’s car got stuck in snow in November 2006.

“Sgt. John Ward has been texting (via cell phone) with them, so they know we’re coming,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Ullom.

The ages of the two Coos Bay men, whose names were unavailable at press time, are in the low to mid-20s, Ullom said. They had driven their vehicle about 35 miles east from Gold Beach to Agness and then continued another 20 miles on Bear Camp Road until the car  became stuck in the snow, Ullom said.

The Curry County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call at 5:15 p.m. from the men’s mother, who had received a text message from one of them on her cell phone. Neither she nor authorities had been able to make voice contact via cell phones.

The men’s mother called the Coos Bay Sheriff’s Department, which forwarded her call to Curry County. She explained the pairs situation and possible location, Ullom said.

“They’re on the Josephine County side, about halfway between Agness and Galice,” he said. “The seem to be in good shape and are waiting for help to arrive.”

Search and Rescue teams were driving four-wheel vehicles from both ends of Bear Camp Road as far as they could and then use the snowmobiles to reach them, he said.

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Friday’s situation was nearly identical to one that happened 24 hours earlier on Thursday, when an Alabama couple had to be rescued after their pickup got stuck in snow on Bear Camp Road after their GPS navigational device instructed them to take that route.

Curry County Sheriff’s Capt. Bob Rector said Josephine County Search and Rescue contacted the Curry County Sheriff's Office about 4:15 p.m. to report they had received a broken cell phone call from a couple who reported they were stuck in the snow on Bear Camp Road and that they believed they were about 16 miles east of Agness and still in Curry County.  

Charles Hill, 53, and Karen Hill, 48, of Florence, Ala. had driven a two-wheel drive Ford F-250 on the road, Rector said.

Search and Rescue teams from Curry County and Josephine County were mobilized to respond using four-wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles. Josephine County SAR personnel responded from the Grants Pass side of the coastal range, and Curry County SAR personnel responded from the Gold Beach side, both arriving at the scene.

The stranded couple was located in their truck about a half mile east of the Bear Camp overlook, Rector said. 

The Hills said they were following their GPS navigational device trying to get from Highway 101 to I-5. The couple reported that the GPS device instructed them to travel from Gold Beach to Agness, then to access the Bear Camp Road to cross the coastal range. 

They said they had no idea about what lay before them or what kind of severe conditions they would encounter.

Rector said the Curry County Sheriff's Office wanted to remind everyone of the inherent dangers of traveling forest roads during winter weather conditions. 

“If traveling on back roads, it is suggested to be prepared for emergencies by having a survival kit which should include items such as blankets, extra clothing, food, water, fire-starting materials, batteries for communications devices, and other survival items,” Rector said.

“It is also important to inform friends or family members of your plans and planned routes. If you do become stuck, it is almost always best to stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.”

In December 2006, authorities found the body of a 35-year-old San Francisco man,  the victim of exposure and hypothermia, who left his family in their stranded car in search of help.

His wife and two daughters were rescued near their vehicle off Bear Camp Road Dec. 4, only days after James Kim went for help.

The Kim family became lost Nov. 25 after missing an I-5 turn-off and attempted to get to Gold Beach through Bear Camp Road.

Authorities believe he was trying to reach the Rogue. His body was found a half mile from the river after he walked more than 10 miles in the frigid wilderness near the Curry-Josephine county line.