In the rugged terrain of the Three Sisters Falls trail, a hiker faced peril as they sustained traumatic injuries and found themselves unable to journey back to safety on their own. On Saturday at precisely 12:14 p.m., the expertise of Gillespie Helitack was urgently requested to join forces with the ground teams already dispatched to navigate the arduous hike and reach the stricken individual.
The coordination between the ground crews and the air support was critical; the ground teams communicated the severity of the patient's condition to the airborne firefighters, it was abundantly clear that hiking back was not an option, the injured hiker needed to be airlifted promptly. According to a Facebook post by CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire, the patient was hoisted out using what is known as a "Helitack Hotseat" by the skillful crew of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Copter 12.
The rescue mission didn't end with the hoist. After being securely lifted from the treacherous confines of the trail, the casualty was transported to a nearby landing zone. There, in a seamless handover that showcased the cooperation between multiple agencies, the care of the individual was transitioned from the aerial team to the ground resources, waiting ready to provide the necessary medical attention.
