A search and rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island rescued an injured climber at the bottom of a cliff on Mount Erie near Anacortes on April 29.

The Anacortes Fire Department was on the scene and requested NAS Whidbey Island’s SAR unit assistance with securing and transporting the injured person to a medical facility due to the nature of the injury and the surrounding terrain.

The SAR crew launched from Ault Field at about 3:15 p.m. and were at the scene minutes later where they found the patient on a ledge near the cliff face at approximately 1,100 feet elevation. After two crew members rappelled down to a ledge near the patient, they were able to litter hoist the patient to the helicopter.

The patient was then transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, where they landed just before 4 p.m.

On April 1, the team rescued a snowmobiler involved in an accident near Mount Baker

The SAR crew arrived on scene and had two crew members inserted via the helicopter hoist. The SAR ground crew found the patient was unconscious and had a restricted airway. The patient and the crew were hoisted into the helicopter.

The patient was also transported to St. Joseph Medical Center.

NAS Whidbey SAR has conducted seven missions this calendar year, which includes one MEDEVAC, one search and five rescues.