May 24, 2021 4:00 a.m. 

After 17 nights in the wilderness, 69-year old Harry Burleigh was found alive by search and rescue crews on Sunday afternoon, in the Twin Lakes area, approximately 60 miles east of Roseburg.

Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said on Sunday, Douglas County Search and Rescue conducted another search mission in the area of Calf Creek, after Burleigh’s fishing gear was found the previous weekend. Additional SAR resources were called in from Jackson County and Siskiyou County in California to help.

O’Dell said at approximately 3:00 p.m. a team of searchers from Jackson County located a shelter southwest of the original shelter, which was found the past weekend. Search crews called out to Burleigh who responded back. He was found to be walking and in minor pain, but was in stable condition. A Brim Aviation helicopter was utilized to hoist Burleigh from his location and transport him to a waiting Life flight helicopter. He was later transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield. He is listed in good condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. O’Dell said the helicopter was also used to extract the remaining SAR team from their position. The other crews were able to self-extricate.

O’Dell said the helicopter was also used to extract the remaining SAR team from their position. The other crews were able to self-extricate.

Sunday night O’Dell said, “This was the outcome we have all been looking for in this case. It is because of our determined Search and Rescue Teams and the partnerships we have with other SAR teams from around the state, that Mr. Burleigh has been re-united with his family this evening”. O’Dell said DCSO wanted to thank everyone who was involved in the mission.

Over the course of the search for Burleigh, DCSO’s Search and Rescue Team was assisted by a number of entities. They are listed with this story at www.541radio.com

*Jackson County SAR

*Josephine County SAR

*Modoc County CA SAR

*Siskiyou County CA SAR

*Curry County SAR

*Klamath County SAR

*Lake County SAR

*Lane County SAR

*US Coast Guard

*Oregon State SAR Coordinator

*Brim Aviation

*Life flight

*United States Forest Service

*Wolf Creek Job Corp. Hot Shots

*Bay Cities