92-Year-Old Driver Who Fell Down Embankment Rescued After Spending Night in Sub-Freezing Temperatures

Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy said in a statement they are "grateful for this positive outcome"

A 92-year-old man was rescued after spending a night outside in sub-freezing temperatures in Oregon last week.

The incident occurred while Larry Hendrickson was traveling from Yuma, Arizona, back to his home in Newport, Washington, with his wife Shirley. Although the couple were on the trip together, Shirley told CNN that she was behind the wheel of a U-Haul truck while Hendrickson followed behind in their car.

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While recounting the drive to the outlet, Shirley said that they pulled over "somewhere around Baker City in northeastern Oregon" after becoming aware of an issue with one of the truck's tires.

She used both of their cell phones to try to find help while Hendrickson drove down the highway to look for a tire shop, she told CNN.

Although Hendrickson was still gone, Shirley decided to get back on the road at around 8 p.m. after the tire was fixed since it was dark.

Being that she had both of their phones, Shirley had friends leave notes for Hendrickson at their home in case he showed up before her. When Hendrickson never made his way home, Shirley contacted the Oregon State Police.

The OSP explained in a media release that they were notified of an "overdue motorist" who was "last known to be traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 283 in Baker County" at approximately 3 p.m. on Nov. 7.

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After searching for Hendrickson's whereabouts, the couple's vehicle was found abandoned on West Airport Lane. Hendrickson was found down an embankment.

According to the OSP, Hendrickson was "conscious and breathing" when located by an OSP trooper and an officer from the Baker City Police Department.

He was rendered first aid by authorities and transported to a local hospital by emergency medical responders from Metro West Ambulance. Shirley told CNN that her husband was transferred to a hospital in Idaho and released after two days.

"He's suffering from the effects of the hypothermia. He can't walk very well; everything hurts," she said. She added that "it's a miracle that he made it," being that "he's 92 years old."

The OSP used the incident as a reminder for travelers to make others aware of plans in case of unexpected travel-related complications.

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"We are grateful for this positive outcome. Cold weather exposure can be life-threatening and another night in these conditions may have been fatal," Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy said in a statement.

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