The following press release was published on the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page:
Yesterday afternoon, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority and Cal Fire personnel requested help from the Sonoma Sheriff helicopter.
A hiker had suffered a fall down a long and steep drop off on Sunday. Rescuers were notified Monday morning when her hiking companion was able to hike out and summons help. The pair was forced to spend the night in the area of Orr Creek. The companion was taken to the hospital via ambulance and a search was planned for the injured woman.
The helicopter and firefighters conducted a coordinated search, locating the injured woman on a small flat spot in the middle of a very steep ridge with about another 100′ to the bottom. She was miles from any roads and underneath a canopy of 150′-200′ tall trees. Firefighters and a helicopter crewman gave medical care and packaged the woman for flight. The crewman connected the woman, a firefighter/paramedic and himself to the bottom of a 200′ long line. The pilot flew the trio some distance to Air Ambulance REACH 6. She was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and and a good outcome is expected.
The H1 crew had nothing but admiration for the professionalism and skill of the firefighters they were working with.
The photos below show the steep and hard to access terrain rural firefighters and Henry-1 crews commonly find themselves working in.
Earlier Chapter
