Search and Rescue Medical Aid - Angel Falls 

July 17, 2023 - Madera County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Saturday, July 15, 2023, around 8:00 p.m., the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a medical aid call for a hiker who had fallen and sustained a possible broken leg at Angel Falls.

Based on the location and terrain of the area, the MSCO SAR Ropes Team was deployed along with SAR Deputies and EMS. When units arrived on scene, they located an adult male with a broken left femur bone just above his knee. The 30-year-old male from San Bernardino was hiking with friends when he slipped from the trail, fell around 30 feet, and landed in the river at Angel Falls.

The Technical Rope Rescue Team performed a High Angle Rope Rescue in the dark which included a 25-30-foot vertical slope up to the trail. The patient was then carried out to an awaiting ambulance, who transported him to a regional hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue reflects, “We are grateful for the successful outcome of this highly technical and challenging rescue. The dedicated, skilled, and resolute individuals who make up our Search and Rescue Team provide an invaluable service to our community, and we can’t thank them enough. We wish the hiker a speedy recovery.”

The Madera County Office of Emergency Services continues to urge both residents and visitors to use extreme caution when recreating in our beautiful surroundings, especially at night. One slip and fall, can change it all.

* SAR Volunteer Lance Boyer is the rescuer pictured here.

Source & photo: Madera County Sheriff’s Office