After Five Days Missing, Hiker Found Alive by Coast Guard in Oregon [WATCH]

A 26-year-old rafter who disappeared during a trip along Oregon’s Illinois River was rescued Friday after spending five days alone in remote wilderness, authorities said, as reported by The New York Post.

Gabriel Vaughn was last seen at approximately 4:15 p.m. Monday near Greenwall Rapids while rafting with a group, according to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.

Vaughn was wearing a blue dry suit, helmet, and life jacket when he left the group and headed into the woods.

Coast Guard rescues hiker five days after getting lost in Oregon wilderness https://t.co/VSIKCybXGH pic.twitter.com/7pCKzG8nzx

— New York Post (@nypost) February 23, 2026

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Officials said Vaughn told others he intended to hike out toward the Chetco drainage. When he did not return, authorities launched a search operation that continued for several days.

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard in the effort.

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The Coast Guard said an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend conducted multiple aerial searches during the week after receiving a request for assistance from the Oregon Search and Rescue coordinator.

On Friday morning, a private party assisting search teams located Vaughn in the Illinois River Valley, about two miles downstream from the area where he was last seen, officials said.

Rescuers determined Vaughn could not be safely evacuated on foot because of injuries to his hands and feet. Given the terrain and his condition, they requested helicopter support.

A Coast Guard helicopter responded and lowered a rescue swimmer to reach Vaughn. He was then hoisted aboard the aircraft and transported to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay for medical evaluation.

Authorities did not immediately release additional details about how Vaughn managed to survive alone for five days in the rugged terrain or provide specifics about the severity of his injuries.

The Illinois River corridor is known for its steep canyons, dense forest, and fast-moving water, particularly near sections such as Greenwall Rapids. The terrain can be difficult to navigate, even for experienced hikers and rafters.

The multi-day search effort required coordination between local and federal agencies. The Coast Guard said its air crews conducted repeated flights over the region in support of ground search teams.

The successful rescue ended nearly a week of uncertainty after Vaughn vanished from his group.

Officials have not indicated whether he became disoriented, was injured shortly after leaving the river, or encountered other obstacles during his attempt to hike toward the Chetco drainage.

Vaughn’s recovery marks the conclusion of a search that spanned several days and relied on aerial support, local search-and-rescue volunteers, and cooperation between agencies.

AGAINST ALL ODDS: A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 26-year-old rafter who survived alone for five days in rugged wilderness after vanishing on Oregon’s Illinois River.

He was found about two miles downstream from where he was last seen and taken to a hospital. pic.twitter.com/WhLs8K2JgW

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 23, 2026

Authorities have not announced whether any further investigation into the incident is underway.

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