Press release from the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Humboldt Bay:

The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 79-year-old female near the Klamath River Sunday afternoon.

At approximately 12 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received a request for assistance from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection personnel to render aide to a woman who fell and injured her hip at her remote cabin on the banks of the Klamath River. 

The injured woman was met by local emergency services, Cal Fire and an ambulance crew. The ground-based rescue teams requested a helicopter crew due to the terrain and lack of road access. 

Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay diverted an MH-65D helicopter crew from a training mission to medically evacuate the injured female. 

The helicopter crew, piloted by Cmdr. Olav Saboe and Lt. J.J. Briggs, delivered a rescue swimmer, Petty Officer 1st Class Jon Rice, to the ground crew. 

Rice, paramedics and Cal Fire personnel prepared the injured female for helicopter transport while the flight mechanic, Petty Officer 2nd Class Joey Hur, directed the aircraft into an opening where the injured female was hoisted aboard safely.

Afterwards, Rice and the paramedic were then hoisted aboard the helicopter, and the crew flew 45-miles south to Eureka were medical staff from St. Josephs Hospital was waiting. 

“Thanks to the close working relationship the Coast Guard has with Cal Fire, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance and all of our local emergency responders, we were able to bring a citizen to care without delay,” said Saboe.