A hiker was airlifted to safety after suffering a serious leg or ankle injury on the trails near Eagle Rock, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. The incident happened Saturday morning in a remote section of Scholl Canyon Fire Road near the border with Glendale.
The severity of the hiker's injury and the challenging terrain prompted LAFD to deploy not just one, but two rescue helicopters. According to LAFD ALERT, the rescue operation commenced rapidly after the incident report at 10:08 AM. A flight paramedic was lowered to quickly assess and stabilize the injured woman on the scene, rendering swift aid amidst the backcountry's unforgiving landscape.
In an operation that seemed straight out of an action sequence but was very real, the woman, along with the paramedic, was hoisted into the hovering helicopter. KTLA reported that she received in-flight care as they headed directly to an area hospital for further treatment. Visuals of the rescue, captured by witnesses and shared via the Citizen app, showed the gravity and precision of the LAFD's response from the skies above.
No wildfires were reported in the area at the time, officials confirmed, likely to head off suspicion raised by the considerable helicopter activity. Ground and air units from LAFD collaborated seamlessly to execute the complex rescue. No further injuries were reported related to the event, which unfolded near the popular hiking destination.
The precise condition of the hiker remains undisclosed, but the care that was provided by LAFD's swift response likely played a critical role in ensuring her chances for a successful recovery.
