A solo off road ride several miles west of Skye Canyon turned into a full scale air rescue on Friday, when search and rescue crews hoisted an injured motorcyclist out of rugged desert terrain and into a waiting helicopter. The rider, who crashed while off roading, was lifted by litter hoist and flown to a nearby hospital. Authorities said the patient was treated on scene for a possible pelvic fracture and was alert and in good spirits. Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue later shared photos and video of the dramatic hoist online.
How the rescue unfolded
The victim's riding partner called for help around midday but had a poor phone connection, which prompted a three unit response that brought in both an air unit and ground teams, according to FOX5. Crews stabilized the injured rider at the scene, then used a litter hoist to bring the patient into the helicopter before flying to a local hospital, FOX5 reported.
Photos show a coordinated hoist
A photo gallery credited to Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue captures the hoist and the tight choreography of SAR personnel working in steep, rocky country, according to KSNV. The images highlight how quickly trained teams can locate and extract injured off road riders in remote areas when time and terrain are not on their side.
LVMPD air support and hoist capability
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Air Support unit operates helicopters that are equipped for hoist operations and trains officers as hoist operators, the department notes on its Air Support page, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Volunteer SAR teams and aircraft routinely respond across Clark County to incidents in rugged public lands where ground access can be slow or limited.
Officials have not released the rider's name. FOX5 said the person was conscious and "in good spirits" when flown to the hospital and is expected to survive. Local agencies continue to remind off road riders to carry reliable means of location and to check in with riding partners before heading into remote areas, a message that hits home after rescues like this one.
