SAR lifts injured hiker in Olympic National Park

A Search and Rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island rescued a 70-year-old woman in the Olympic National Park Wednesday, Sept. 25.

The SAR crew left from NAS Whidbey at approximately 11:30 a.m. to rescue the woman, who fell and sustained a back injury in the Elwha Valley area southwest of Port Angeles.

The SAR crew landed in an open area next to a river and near the patient. Three SAR crew members crossed the river to the patient’s location and readied her for transport.

Because of her injuries, the SAR crew elected to hoist the patient aboard the helicopter rather than move her further.

The SAR crew transported the patient to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where they landed by about 12:40 p.m.

NAS Whidbey SAR has conducted 34 total missions throughout Washington state this year, including ten searches, fourteen rescues and 10 medical evacuations.