August 17, 2021 - On Saturday, August 14 (8/14/21), Madera County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue teams responded to three separate medical aid rescue calls in various locations throughout the mountain area of Madera County.
Around 7:00 A.M., the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center (MCSCC) received a call regarding a male subject who had fallen while hiking near Pond Lilly Lake on the Crest of the Sierras, an area about 9 miles southwest of Reds Meadow.
The patient, a 72-year-old male from Utah, tripped and fell to the ground while hiking with his family, falling backwards into a rock pile injuring his ribs. The family contacted 911 and reported the patient suffered injuries to his chest and was having pain while breathing.
Due to the nature of his injuries and location of the incident, California Highway Patrol Helicopter “H-40” was requested for the rescue. Crews located the patient and airlifted him to Mammoth Airport, where he was transported by a ground ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Shortly before 12:00 P.M., the MCSCC received a call regarding a female subject who was having difficulty breathing on the Way of the Mono Trail near Bass Lake.
The patient, a 71-year-old female from Santa Barbara County, was hiking along the creek with her family when she began to feel hot and having a hard time breathing. Family and bystanders were able to call 911 and requested help.
MCSO Deputies, MCSO SAR, CAL-FIRE, and Sierra Ambulance responded to the location. Crews were able to locate the female below about a half mile from the trailhead and carried her out to be evaluated by paramedics.
Around 4:45 P.M., the MCSCC received a call regarding a female subject who had fallen along Lewis Creek at Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail while hiking alone. The patient, a 30-year-old female, was hiking near the top of the waterfall and tripped, causing her to fall about 30 feet down to the bottom of the falls, injuring her left shoulder and lower left leg. Bystanders were able to call 911 and requested help.
MCSO Deputies, MCSO SAR, CAL-FIRE, Sierra Ambulance, United States Forest Service Law Enforcement and USFS Fire responded to the location. Crews were able to locate the female below Corlieu Falls and pull her out to the trailhead. The patient was then transferred to a ground ambulance and was taken to Batterson Forest Fire Station where California Highway Patrol Helicopter “H-40” was on the ground waiting for the patient. H-40 was then able to transport the patient to a regional hospital for further treatment.
Sheriff Tyson Pogue states, “Our Search and Rescue crews, along with our agency partners, showed incredible commitment and resilience conducting these multiple rescues. We are so grateful for the success of these missions and the dedication of our rescue teams.”
Source & photo: Madera County Sheriff’s Office
