OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A Coast Guard helicopter crew medically evacuated an injured 62-year-old woman from Klahhane Ridge on Mount Angeles in Olympic National Park.
The woman had injured her ankle Friday and was unable to safely descend from a 5,000-foot elevation, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard does not identify people it helps because of federal privacy laws.
Due to the treacherous terrain of the woman’s location, Olympic National Park rangers were unable to safely carry her down the mountain with a stokes litter.
Instead, rangers stayed with the woman until she could be airlifted from the mountain.
A search and rescue coordinator from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center relayed the distress to watchstanders at Coast Guard Puget Sound at about 5 p.m.
A Coast Guard Sector Field Office/Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched, safely hoisted the woman into the helicopter and transported her back to the airbase, where her care was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.
“This was a really challenging rescue,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Hughes, a member of the Coast Guard rescue aircrew.
“Our partners at Olympic National Park did a fantastic job caring for the woman by preparing her for and assisting her with the difficult hoist. We are happy to be able to help.”
