Helicopter crashes during search and rescue

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a Garmin activation notification from a hiker who suffered a possible broken ankle in the area of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake, near the Pacific Coast Trail.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services coordinated with Naval Air Station Lemoore SAR to dispatch a helicopter crew to rescue the hiker Saturday at about 10 a.m. The responding Search and Rescue helicopter experienced difficulties resulting in a hard landing. Thankfully, the four service members on board the helicopter only suffered minor injuries. Rescue efforts for the hiker and helicopter crew are ongoing, and a security and safety team is en route.

Search and Rescue teams from multiple agencies completed the hours long hike to reach the injured hiker and NASL helicopter crew from SAR mission. All parties were successfully transported out of the backcountry, with the last members arriving at the trailhead around 2 a.m. Sunday. Patients were taken to a regional hospital for evaluation and treatment.