High above the San José terrain, the San José Police Department AIR 3 demonstrated exceptional aeronautic prowess in a recent rescue mission. The unit worked in tandem with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office to successfully extract a 75-year-old male hiker who had taken a perilous fall on August 10 while out in the San Antonio Valley Road area.
The rescue unfolded after the hiker, while on a hunting trip, fell over a rocky ledge, descending one hundred feet. With the hiker failing to make his expected return, concerned friends alerted authorities just past noon. According to a statement obtained by the San José Police Department, it wasn't until approximately 2 PM that a friend spotted the victim, and law enforcement was contacted anew.
A Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office deputy managed to hike down and reach the victim around 4 PM, promptly requesting additional support from the skies. AIR 3 was dispatched posthaste, skillfully maneuvering through dense arboreal coverage to reach the victim. After the strategic retrieval, the victim was delivered to an awaiting helicopter, which then hastened to transport him to a local hospital. He was treated for injuries, thankfully deemed non-life-threatening.
The San José Police Department's Air Support Unit, with AIR 3 leading its fleet, has a proven track record of enhancing safety across the county. "AIR 3 is an invaluable eye in the sky that services the city of San José seven days a week to increase public safety," Acting Chief of Police Paul Joseph emphasized via the press release.
This year alone, AIR 3 has responded to 898 calls for service, assisting not only San José but also supporting outside agencies on 65 occasions and coordinating with the San Jose Fire Department 11 times. This helicopter unit's reach extends beyond rescue, having played a critical role in the recovery of stolen vehicles and the apprehension of multiple homicide suspects, as relayed by the San José Police Department's official account.
