By Robert Villalpando
The Austin American-Statesman
PORTLAND, Ore. — Austin firefighter Devin Paez, who had gone missing Thursday evening while hiking in Oregon, was found safe Friday afternoon, said officials with the Multnomah County sheriff’s office in Oregon.
Paez was found around 3:15 p.m. Pacific Time, said officials with the Multnomah County sheriff’s office. He was located on the Oneonta Trail, below Triple Falls, by a hiker who recognized him from media coverage of the search.
Paez was dehydrated and “had some scratches on his arms and legs, but otherwise was in good condition,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
According to Paez, he got lost on the trail when he went ahead of his group of friends and took a wrong turn, the sheriff’s office said. He stumbled down a steep embankment, and because it was getting dark, he decided to stay there until sunrise.
“He used his battery watch light to provide a little light during the night,” the sheriff’s office said.
In the morning, he was able to drink some water from the creek and walked down the river until he came across a trail, the sheriff’s office said.
“Eventually, he was seen by a hiker on the Oneonta Trail who told him people were searching for him,” the sheriff’s office said.
A team met him as he came down the trail and brought him to a command post in a vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
“Devin was extremely thankful to be off the trail and reunited with his friends,” the sheriff’s office said. “He was grateful to searchers who volunteered their time to help locate him. Devin said he made a mistake leaving the group and going ahead while leaving his backpack with his food and water behind.”
5:30 p.m. update: Austin firefighter Devin Paez, who had been reported missing while hiking in Oregon, has been found safe, Austin fire officials said.
No other details were immediately available, but Austin fire officials said they would release additional information as it becomes available.
Earlier: Austin firefighter Devin Paez has been reported missing while hiking in Oregon, Austin Fire officials said Friday.
Paez was with a group of friends, including two other Austin firefighters, when he disappeared west of Portland, officials said.
The two firefighters and other emergency workers in Oregon are involved in the search for Paez near the Larch Mountain Trailhead, officials said, and Paez’s family has been notified.
The Fire Department confirmed on its Facebook page Paez’s disappearance and asked the public for its support during the search.
“We will share updates as we can confirm details. In the meantime, we would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Devin to be found safe and sound, and for his family as they await word,” the post said.
The Oregonian in Portland reported that Paez, 26, was heading back down from the hike ahead of the group, but when they got to the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead he wasn’t there.
According to his Facebook page, Paez was a rookie firefighter who had completed his academy and probationary training in May.
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