Full Notification

Henry 1 rescue 1/24/2015, CR#150124-023

On 1/24/2015, at about 4:43 PM, The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter, Henry 1 was requested by Marin County Fire and National Parks Rangers to assist in the rescue of a woman who had fallen at the Point Reyes Lighthouse, Point Reyes National Seashore.

The Henry 1 crew consists of a pilot, sheriff sergeant/EMT and a paramedic, all trained to perform long line rescues. The crew arrived on scene at about 4:58 PM and were directed to the Point Reyes Lighthouse where the injured woman was located. Crews on the ground advised that the woman could not walk due to her injuries.

The narrow trail leading to the waiting Marin County Fire Ambulance is about 650 yards long with an elevation change of about 300 feet. Due to the woman’s injuries and the difficulty in moving her up the trail by ground, the Henry 1 crew elected to fly the injured woman to the ambulance using a long-line rescue technique. The Henry 1 crew landed on the road above the lighthouse and quickly reconfigured the helicopter for the rescue. The Henry 1 pilot flew the paramedic and sergeant to the lighthouse where they secured the injured woman in a rescue stretcher. The pilot then flew both rescuers and the injured woman, on the 100’ long line, to the Marin County Fire Ambulance waiting on the road above the lighthouse.

The entire Henry 1 crew routinely trains for long line rescues in the ocean, on cliffs and other remote areas located along the North Coast. For additional information on the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter unit, please visit www.friendsofhenry1.org