PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard aircrew rescued a hiker after he fell into the Hoh River.
A Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew hoisted the 39-year-old hiker, who was unidentified, and took him to Olympic Medical Center for treatment on Friday.
He was reportedly suffering from symptoms related to hypothermia and frostbite, the Coast Guard said. He was in stable condition at the time of transfer to medical personnel.
Watchstanders at the 13th Coast Guard District Command Center received an agency assist request from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 7:28 p.m.
The helicopter aircrew launched at 8:16 p.m. and began the hoist at 8:55 p.m. The aircrew transferred the patient to Olympic Medical Center personnel at 9:41 p.m.
The AFRCC had limited communication with the hikers due to a bad connection but were able to triangulate the man’s position by using cell phone towers.
A woman hiking with the man called for help after realizing that his medical condition would not allow him to finish the hike in the Olympic Mountains.
