After his vehicle got stuck in the snowy terrain, he realized he did not have cell phone service — and his family was out of the country, making the situation worse.
"Nobody knew where he had gone or to call for help if he didn’t make it home," the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.
In this photo reenactment, Lane County Sheriff’s Office showed the motorists ingenuity by taking his iPhone and tying it to his drone. (Lane County Sheriff's Search and Rescue )
Despite darkness growing near, the man made a few "smart decisions" that may have been lifesaving. Authorities commended the driver for staying with his vehicle and finding a resourceful way to call for help.
"Rarely does anyone in Oregon die from exposure waiting in their vehicle to be found and rescued," authorities wrote. "But we have unfortunately seen many poor outcomes from those who chose to walk away."
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The motorist eventually attached his phone to his drone, typed out a text message to his friend explaining his situation and launched it several hundred feet into the air. Due to the increased elevation, his phone was able to connect to a tower and send the message.
"The increased elevation allowed his phone to connect to a tower and send the message, which resulted in our teams being deployed and assisting him out of his situation." police shared.
It was growing dark as the Lane County Sheriff's Search and Rescue assisted the motorists who were stranded after traveling down unmaintained roads at the Willamette National Forest. (Lane County Sheriff's Search and Rescue )
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As first responders assisted the man, they found another traveler who had been stranded "in the snow for multiple days."
While authorities are happy with the outcome and "impressed" with the man's creativity, they shared tips on how to avoid his situation altogether.
The Lane County Sheriff's Office warned motorists to not go on snow or ice-covered forest roads, as they are not maintained for winter travel. Authorities also recommended telling a "responsible person" your whereabouts.
"Always tell a responsible person EXACTLY where you are going, and when you expect to be back." the sheriff's office warned. "Do not deviate from this plan."