REDMOND, Ore. -- A mountain biker was seriously injured Sunday afternoon at a popular recreation area west of Redmond, officials said. He was helped by Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers, Redmond Fire & Rescue medics and an AirLink helicopter crew who flew him to the hospital.

Around 1:30 p.m., Deschutes County 9-1-1 dispatchers got call about an injured mountain biker in the Cline Buttes Recreational Area near Barr Road, sheriff's office Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

A DCSO special services deputy reached the 73-year-old man from Bend by phone and determined that Search & Rescue would be needed due to the location and reported injuries, Carr said.

A team consisting of one deputy and five SAR volunteers headed for the patient's location. After an initial medical check, they sought help from Redmond Fire & Rescue. Because of the rugged terrain, Redmond Fire used its side-by-side UTV to reach the scene, Carr said.

AirLink also was launched to help, based on the patient’s condition and concern for serious injuries. The helicopter landed nearby, and SAR volunteers placed the injured man on a litter to bring him to the to the waiting aircraft, which flew the patient to St. Charles Bend.

"The Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere thanks to the dedicated Search & Rescue volunteers, 911 Dispatch, and Redmond Fire & Rescue for their teamwork and quick response," Carr said in a news release.