Oregon man uses DJI drone to signal for help after getting stranded in snow

A man in the state of who became lost on a snow-covered road in the middle of nowhere was able to summon assistance by using his drone to transmit a signal of distress.

The motorist was stranded in the snow on a road in Willamette National Forest with no cellphone service and no reception. After realizing that no one knew where he was and that his family was out of the country, he fastened his phone to a DJI drone, flew it to a height at which it could connect to a network, and then sent a message to a friend informing him of his precise location.

Following the friend’s call to the authorities, rescue crews were able to find the individual in need of assistance and bring him back to safety.

During the operation, the crew located another driver who had been stuck in the snow for several days.

Creative solutions with DJI drone

The Lane County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, who came to the man’s aid after receiving his call for assistance, commended his resourceful thinking and stated that they were impressed with the successful completion of the rescue operation.

The following safety precautions should be taken when traveling during the winter months, as recommended by the Sheriff’s Office:

1) Forest Roads are not maintained for winter travel. Any attempt to travel on unmaintained snow or ice covered roads (no matter how much or little) should only be made with a group of well-equipped vehicles. If one vehicle becomes stuck, the other vehicles can attempt to free the stuck vehicle or can turn around and be used to drive everyone back to safety.

2) Always tell a responsible person EXACTLY where you are going, and when you expect to be back. Do not deviate from this plan. If a road becomes unpassable, turn around and go back the way you came, do not attempt a detour without first updating your plan with your emergency contact.

3) Of the dozens of missions we have had this winter involving a vehicle stuck in the snow, nearly all of them were 4×4 vehicles and almost all of the drivers told us “I didn’t think I would get stuck.” Instead of asking yourself whether you think you can get through a section of road, ask yourself “What will happen if I do get stuck?” If you (and the group of other vehicles you are traveling with) are not prepared to deal with any of the possible outcomes from an attempt, turn around and go back the way you came.

A Man In The State Of Oregon Who Became Lost On A Snow-Covered Road In The Middle Of Nowhere Was Able To Summon Assistance By Using His Dji Drone To Transmit A Signal Of Distress.

You can read more stories about how drones are being used for good right here on DroneXL.

* The photo of a DJI drone is a reenactment, not the subject’s actual setup. Courtesy of the Lane County Sheriff’s office.


Discover more from DroneXL.co

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Proposed legislation threatens your ability to use drones for fun, work, and safety. The Drone Advocacy Alliance is fighting to ensure your voice is heard in these critical policy discussions.Join us and tell your elected officials to protect your right to fly.

Drone Advocacy Alliance
TAKE ACTION NOW
Follow us on Google News!

Get your Part 107 Certificate

Pass the Part 107 test and take to the skies with the Pilot Institute. We have helped thousands of people become airplane and commercial drone pilots. Our courses are designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and achieve your dreams.

pilot institute dronexl

Copyright ยฉ DroneXL.co 2025. All rights reserved. The content, images, and intellectual property on this website are protected by copyright law. Reproduction or distribution of any material without prior written permission from DroneXL.co is strictly prohibited. For permissions and inquiries, please contact us first. DroneXL.co is a proud partner of the Drone Advocacy Alliance. Be sure to check out DroneXL's sister site, EVXL.co, for all the latest news on electric vehicles.

FTC: DroneXL.co is an Amazon Associate and uses affiliate links that can generate income from qualifying purchases. We do not sell, share, rent out, or spam your email.

Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

Articles: 4970

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.