Russian River Hiker Rescued By Helicopter
CLOVERDALE (BCN) - A stranded hiker was hoisted to safety from the shores of the Russian River near Cloverdale by helicopter Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Cal Fire requested the assistance of the CHP because the middle-aged man was stranded in an area that was inaccessible to rescue personnel by foot or by vehicle.
The CHP dispatched a helicopter at about 4:30 p.m. and located the hiker, but the CHP said rough terrain and the lack of available landing zones forced the rescue crew to utilize a hoist system and lower an officer to pull the hiker to safety.
The hiker, who was uninjured, was slipped into a rescue collar and raised into the helicopter. Once on the chopper landed, the hiker was transferred to Cal Fire personnel, the CHP said.
The Golden Gate Division Air Operations unit of the CHP performed the rescue and is based at the Napa County Airport. The unit operates two airplanes and two helicopters that patrol roughly 6,900 square miles encompassing a population of more than 6,900,000.
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