From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

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For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: December 7, 2006

Contact:	Deputy Bruce McGuire 541-265-4277 x2729 bmcguire@co.lincoln.or.us
Incident:	Missing hikers at Cape Perpetua
Date Occurred:	December 6, 2006
Time Occurred:	Approximately 6:30 PM
Location:	Cape Perpetua Hiking Trails

Summary:

On 6 December 2006, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a call that 2 people, Kempton Hewitt 69 years old of Yachats and Frank Thompson 67 years old of Waunakee Wisconsin, were missing in the Cape Perpetua trail system. Both men were not dressed or equipped for the cold weather or hiking at night. Hewitt had made a cell phone call to his wife that they were lost and needed help. Deputies and USFS personnel started searching the immediate area surrounding the trail heads. The vehicle that belonged to Hewitt was located at the Cooks Ridge/Gwynn Creek Loop trail head.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team was activated along with a US Coast Guard Helicopter to search the area. An ATV with Sheriff's personnel was sent in at the Gwynn Creek Trail in the Neptune State Park where it comes out at Hwy 101. Kempton Hewitt was located at about 900pm approximately 1 mile east of Hwy 101 in heavy brush and timber in on the edge of Gwynn Creek. Information was obtained from Hewitt as to the last known location for Thompson and Search and Rescue personnel, along with a Search and Rescue Canine, entered the trail near where Hewitt's vehicle was left. Thompson was located at about 1130pm and was removed from the area by ATV to EMS personnel from Yachats Fire. Both subjects when located were cold and wet.

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