“This is an example of rescue personnel from numerous agencies pooling together their resources, response and expertise to rescue someone in difficult terrain.  We applaud their work and wish a speedy recovery for the injured hiker.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

BIG SUR – On April 14, 2025, at approximately 12:30 in the afternoon, A CHP helicopter was requested for a hoist rescue on the Pine Ridge Trail in Big Sur. A hiker had fallen down a cliff and sustained major injuries. H-70 responded and landed nearby in order to pick-up a helicopter rescue team (HRT) member from Big Sur Fire.

The HRT member, along with an additional CHP flight officer / paramedic were lowered down to the patient. California State Parks personnel had already made their way to the patient and directed H-70 to their location.

Due to the numerous tall trees in this area, H-70 utilized all of its 164 ft of hoist cable, and hovered in between numerous trees in order to perform a successful rescue.

The patient was flown by H-70 back to the landing zone, where patient care was transferred to Cal Star Helicopter 5 from Salinas.

The CHP reports that this was a very technical rescue in very challenging terrain and extends its appreciation to California State Parks, CALFIRE, Big Sure Fire, Monterey County USAR and CalStar.