The ‘Henry-1’ helicopter was called in for a ‘long-line’ rescue on Friday afternoon. File photo by Eric Lian.
An incapacitated woman was lifted by helicopter out of a remote ravine above 18000 Old Winery Road on Friday afternoon, in a daring rescue operation that required the Sheriff’s Helicopter to thread a 100-foot line into a clearing surrounded by oak trees.
The 47-year-old woman was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Sonoma Valley Hospital. The expectation is for a full recovery, according to an emergency room staff member.
The victim’s family members believed that woman walked up into the hills to attempt suicide, the Sheriff’s department said. Her vehicle was located in the winery parking lot at about 2:40 p.m. Inside was an empty prescription pill bottle that had been filled earlier in the day.
Deputies from the Sonoma Valley Sheriff’s substation and the Sonoma Police Department, along with the victim’s family members and aided by the Henry 1 helicopter, began a search of the surrounding area.
After several minutes, a relative of the woman spotted her in remote ravine, about 350 yards off a heavily vegetated trail near a small pond. Several deputies accessed the victim by foot and began to carry her down a rocky creek bed to a clearing. The victim was unresponsive and in and out of consciousness.
“Given the victim’s unknown medical condition, the possibility of a drug overdose, and the heat of the day, carrying the victim out of the canyon would have caused serious delays and would have resulted in exacerbating the victim’s worsening condition,” said Sgt. Dave Thompson.
The only alternative was a “long-line” rescue. According to a release from the Sheriff’s office, Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) Fletcher Skerrett was lowered by Pilot Paul Bradley to the site of the victim. He secured them both, and they were lifted up the 100-foot line and into the helicopter.
“In 30 seconds, they were both safely flown out of the canyon and back to the winery lawn,” Thompson said. Paramedics from Sonoma Valley Fire/Rescue Ambulance took over. She was taken by ambulance to Sonoma Valley Hospital. Sources there said the woman would recover, but would not confirm if she had yet been released.
