Hikers Rescue Friend Who Fell Into the Ocean But Lose All Their Gear

 A hiker fell from a cliff and into the water. The remaining 3 entered the water and all 4 returned to shore where they contacted emergency services.

A hiker fell from a cliff and into the water. The remaining 3 entered the water and all 4 returned to shore where they contacted emergency services. [Photos from the Coast Guard]

Press release from the Coast Guard:

The Coast Guard rescued four hikers approximately 10 miles south of Mattole Beach on the Lost Coast Trail Thursday.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office relayed a distress message from the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center to Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders at 3:12 p.m., which were text-type messages from a Garmin satellite messenger device.

Four people were reportedly hiking on a remote section of the Lost Coast Trail near the Randall Creek area when one man fell off a cliff, sustaining a head injury and was pulled out to sea. The three remaining hikers entered the surf to assist their friend, where they sustained additional injuries and lost all of their hiking gear. All four hikers made it back to shore, and despite their injuries and hypothermia, were later able to recover one of their bags containing the satellite messenger and call for help.

No land units could easily access the remote site and Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew.

The aircrew arrived on scene at approximately 4:25 p.m., located the hikers, and lowered the rescue swimmer to assess their condition and prepare the patients for transport. The aircrew hoisted the two injured men and transported them to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka.

“The hikers’ preparation of packing a satellite messenger gave our crew an exact GPS location to fly toward and greatly expedited their recovery,” said Lt. j.g. Rachel Seaman, the Dolphin helicopter pilot.

A second Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew responded and retrieved the two remaining hikers and transported them to Sector Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville.

“The injured man’s friends were brave by fighting the waves and rocks to recover him,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Sam Dannenbring, a Sector Humboldt Bay rescue swimmer. “For as unlucky as those guys were after losing all of their gear during that process, they were extremely lucky being able to retrieve their GPS. That thing saved their lives. It will certainly be a birthday hiking trip they will all remember.”

Earlier Chapter: Search and Rescue Locates Injured and Ill Hikers on the Lost Coast

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Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
3 years ago

“Stay at home, safe lives.”
– Gov. Newsolini
Many people are killed each year by hiking and other thrill seeking activities.
Car driving likewise leads to horrific casualties.
Oh yeah, we invented the seat belt(mask) now everybody is safe.
Trailheads should be shut down to save lives.

Miguel
Guest
Miguel
3 years ago
Reply to  Canyon oak

Get some sleep.

Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
3 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

Im on grandpa time my man!
Down at 8pm, up at 4am.
Best time in America is before all the people wake up!

ItsOKreally
Guest
ItsOKreally
3 years ago
Reply to  Canyon oak

Who hurt you so bad?

Steven Laird
Guest
Steven Laird
3 years ago

Even in the comments ppl want to try to regulate others. Move to China already with all that bs. Everyone needs to stop policing everyone else. This is a FREE COUNTRY still and will remain one once all these liberal and democratic criminals get exposed and sent to prison [edit]

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven Laird

Herman Cain ain’t free.

A mask could have allowed him the freedom to live.

Simple shit.

Rice Crispy
Guest
Rice Crispy
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven Laird

Maybe you should move to Kentucky where you can live in pieces with your fellow Trumpers?? Then you’d be a happy redneck!! 🤗

Kimber
Guest
Kimber
3 years ago
Reply to  Rice Crispy

A mask does not help you when your in a concentration camp idiots. Anyone who gives up their rights to “save” themselves from a germ that has 99% survival rate is a total idiot and deserves what they get.

Angela Robinson
Guest
Angela Robinson
3 years ago
Reply to  Kimber

“Concentration camp”?

I have to wonder who is being the hysterical one here.

Dan
Guest
Dan
3 years ago
Reply to  Kimber

99% nope. and whst % have long term health complications? please dont compare wearing a mask to a concentration camp. it is disgusting. However, if everyone in US got covid the death toll would exceed the number estimated in Bitlers genocide.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven Laird

That rescue helicopter and its crew weren’t “free”. Those expenses are borne by we tax payers (something I support).
So. Like motorcycle helmet laws (which are an example of regulations that are barely justified, but are worthy) we the people benefit in a variety of ways when a few, temporary restrictions are applied.
That said. I don’t think this incident would justify shutting that trail nor the limiting of the personal freedoms of others.
Otherwise. This is an intense and inspiring story. So glad it ended relatively well!

Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
3 years ago

Santa will be here soon to lighten the mood!🎅🏿☃️🍪🥂🎺☺️