A rock climber sustained injuries and required an emergency helicopter extraction from a steep cliff face in the Sierra Nevada on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred at Courtright Reservoir in the southwestern part of the mountain range.
California Highway Patrol's Coastal Division Air Operations received a distress call around 12:45 p.m. on September 11. The climber had fallen while ascending Power Dome, a prominent granite formation in the area, necessitating medical transport.
Helicopter-70 (H-70), operated by CHP's Coastal Division Air Operations, was dispatched from its base at Paso Robles Airport. The helicopter carried a crew of two. A helicopter rescue technician from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office also contributed to the operation.
Using the helicopter's hoist system, the rescue team successfully lifted the injured climber from the rock face. The individual was then transported by air to a waiting ambulance for immediate medical attention. Details regarding the climber's identity and the severity of their injuries were not immediately available.
CHP Air Operations helicopters are routinely deployed for search-and-rescue missions across California. These aircraft are typically staffed by a pilot and a flight officer who also operates the hoist system and serves as a paramedic. The CHP highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration, stating, "Our crews rely on the collaborative efforts of our partner agencies, particularly our Helicopter Rescue Technician team members, in order to ensure the safest outcome."