A 72-year-old male hiker was rescued after suffering head trauma from a fall on a remote section of the Backbone Trail near Rivas Canyon in Topanga State Park yesterday. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded with both ground and air units at approximately 11:08 AM, according to LAFD's alert. The hiker's injuries necessitated a swift and complex rescue operation in the rugged terrain.

The LAFD deployed a rescue helicopter that lowered a Flight Paramedic to the scene to provide immediate medical assessment and stabilization. The patient was then hoisted into the helicopter, accompanied by the Flight Paramedic, for in-flight care, as per the LAFD. As rescues in such terrain are not uncommon, teams are well-prepared for these scenarios, albeit the geography often poses significant challenges to both the rescuers and the rescuees. The individual was transported by direct air transport to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

"An LAFD Rescue Helicopter has lowered a Flight Paramedic to medically assess and stabilize the patient, who will soon be hoisted along with the LAFD Flight Paramedic into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care during direct air transport to an area hospital," stated Brian Humphrey of the LAFD in the press release.