Grand Ronde man rescued from along the South Yamhill River

GRAND RONDE — A Grand Ronde man, stranded early this morning along the South Yamhill River just south of the Spirit Mountain Casino, was rescued by a Polk County Search and Rescue Team.

He was identified as Adam Thayer, 27, of 8260 Grand Ronde Road. He was taken to the Polk County Sheriff's Office substation, evaluated by medical personnel, provided blankets and an opportunity warm himself. He did not require hospitalization.

The sheriff's office gave this account:

Shortly after midnight, the sheriff's office received a call of a stranded individual on the river's edge. Patrol deputies arrived and began communicating with Thayer. They were unable to reach him due to the location and dense brush and bushes.

A search and rescue team was activated about 1:45. Thayer was located about 4:30, wearing only a pair of shorts and a shirt. He had lost his shoes.

He said he had been in the woods Sunday night and his vehicle became stuck. He said he knew where the casino was and thought he could walk in that direction until arriving at the casino. However, he did not account for the river, heavy brush and the terrain between his location and the casino.