February 15, 2024 9:40 a.m. 

A missing snowmobiler was found near Crater Lake late Tuesday.

A report from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office said on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Klamath County Search and Rescue responded after a man went missing after being separated from his group while riding in Crater Lake National Park.  The man was identified as 38-year-old Eduardo Magana of Winchester.

Sheriff Chris Kaber said Magana was operating a rental snowmobile from Diamond Lake Resort when he took a wrong turn near the rim of Crater Lake. Kaber said after several miles of backcountry riding the snowmobile became stuck in the snow and he was unable to free it. On a cell phone, with a dying battery, Magana spoke to rescuers and advised them that he was not dressed for the weather, was cold, and wasn’t sure where he was.

The KCSO release said Klamath County SAR and the North County SAR team began a search assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office SAR. Magana was located shortly before 12:00 a.m. Wednesday on Rim Drive in a hypothermic state. He was transported off the mountain by a Sno-Cat provided by Douglas County SAR and then was transported to Roseburg for medical attention.

The release said the temperature at the time Magana was located was 19 degrees with an unknown windchill factor. An approaching storm further complicated the search.

Sheriff Kaber offered thanks and appreciation to the SAR volunteers from both counties. He said they provided a great service to their community and spent most of the night saving the man’s life.