A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Facility Newport, Ore., safely hoists an injured hiker at Roads End State Park near Cascade Head, Ore., Jan. 9, 2016.
The aircrew transferred the man to EMS at Chinook Winds Casino.
U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Facility Newport, Ore.
NORTH BEND, Ore. — A rescue aircrew from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport hoisted an injured male hiker from the beach near Roads End State Park near Cascade Head, Saturday.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew safely hoisted the man, who reportedly suffered a significant leg injury, and transferred him to waiting EMS near the Chinook Winds Casino at about 3:30 p.m.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend were notified by a friend of the hiker that the man had fallen down a cliff at about 1:30 p.m. The Dolphin aircrew, already in the air, was diverted to provide assistance. Once on scene, the aircrew located a flashing strobe light on the beach and deployed the rescue swimmer.
“The aircrew was able to find the injured man quickly because he had a strobe light and they were able to see it,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Katie Brown, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector North Bend. “Hikers, and everyone else enjoying the outdoors, should always carry the proper safety equipment.”
Fuel constraints forced the aircrew to return to Newport and refuel, while the rescue swimmer remained with the injured man to provide medical assistance. After arriving back on scene, the man was safely hoisted and transferred to EMS near the Chinook Winds Casino.