12/7/25 - Team effort saves life of missing elderly woman drowning in Kirk Pond On Saturday, December 6th at about 10 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of missing elderly woman who had driven away from a residence in the Alvadore area, west of Eugene, and then wandered away from her vehicle off of Clear Lake Road. Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers and K9s were called out, and an Oregon State Trooper who was in the area arrived with K9 Buck, an article search and tracking canine. Both a deputy and a Eugene Police officer responded with drones to assist in the search. A deputy canvassing the area observed the missing female on a resident’s security camera in the area of Kirk Pond. Searchers focused their efforts on the thick brush. Within minutes, K9 Buck located the female almost completely submerged in Kirk Pond near the bank. The Trooper and a SAR volunteer jumped into the frigid water and pulled her to safety. The woman was treated for hypothermia and transported to an area hospital. This was just one of several calls that deputies and SAR responded to over the weekend. On Friday evening, a mushroom picker became lost on Siltcoos Trail, south of Florence. Although familiar with the area, the person became disoriented in the dark and was not prepared to stay out overnight. SAR located him and guided him back to his vehicle. On Sunday morning, deputies and SAR responded to a report of a missing mushroom picker in the area of Sweet Creek Road, south of Mapleton. The person is still missing, and searchers are still actively searching in the area as of Monday. On Sunday afternoon, deputies and SAR searched for a person who was in mental distress and ran away from a vehicle in the area of Lorane Highway and Fox Hollow Road. SAR located her after several hours of searching, including with K9s and drones. However, she was not cooperative. Lane County Mobile Crisis Services responded at the request of deputies. She was then transported to an area hospital by MCS. Please follow these tips to stay safe when you explore the outdoors in our county: ⛰️ Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. 🌨️ Know conditions before you leave - rain in the valley can mean ice up high! 🏕️ Be prepared to stay out overnight - even if you don't plan to get out of your car. 🗺️ Bring maps for offline navigation - cell service can be spotty! 🌊 If you go on the water, ALWAYS wear a life jacket! Nearly every week, Lane County Sheriff's Search & Rescue deputies and volunteers assist our residents and visitors in all types of environments. Learn more about our Search & Rescue program or donate to their work at: www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/volunteers/search_and_rescuePhotos from Lane County Sheriff's Office's post