SEATTLE — The Coast Guard rescued an injured hiker, August 29, that had been stranded in the Olympic Mountains near Port Angeles, Wash., since August 25.
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a request from Olympic National Park for a medevac of a 32-year-old male hiker near Aurora Ridge in the vicinity of Crescent Lake at approximately 4 p.m.
The hiker, who reportedly fell 150 feet and suffered a broken left ankle and possible head injuries, was located by a helicopter crew, August 29, that had been privately contracted by the missing hiker’s family.
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene and located the hiker at the reported location at an approximate elevation of 3500. Four Olympic National Park rangers were on scene with the injured hiker and were prepared to carry him out if necessary.
The helicopter crew lowered an aviation survival technician, commonly referred to as ‘rescue swimmer’. The AST, with the help of the rangers, prepared the injured hiker for a hoist. The crew then successfully hoisted the hiker approximately 160 feet to the helicopter.
The hiker was transported to Air Station Port Angeles where an awaiting ambulance took the man to Olympic Memorial Hospital in Port Angeles. He was last reported to be in stable condition.
In addition to the Coast Guard, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., launched a Navy helicopter crew and was prepared to assist the Coast Guard with the hoist if necessary.
