Bend, Oregon — In June 2024, Mike Jones fell backward from a 40-foot cliff near Benham Falls into raging white water. He was carried downstream and became snagged on a log jam, where he used his iPhone to call 911.

The call connected to operators for about 14 minutes as they directed responders to his location.

One of Bend Fire’s off-duty rescue technicians, Dan Price, was nearby and grabbed his personal kayak to make contact and stabilize Jones while other agency support was brought in to deploy a raft for extrication.

Jones suffered several serious injuries and was life-flighted to St. Charles in Bend, where he was stabilized. He is a resident of Eugene and has had a difficult recovery this past year.

Last week, responders met Jones to hear his perspective on the incident, described as a full-circle moment.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Oregon, Deschutes County Search & Rescue, Life Flight Network and Sunriver Fire supported the call.