On Sunday, three individuals stranded on a steep mountainside in Northern California were safely rescued by helicopter following a distress signal that drew emergency crews to their location.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office reported that the group was located on the Sierra Buttes, just to the south of a lookout tower near the summit of the mountain.
Officials shared images and footage of the helicopter maneuvering close to the rugged terrain as rescuers made efforts to reach those in need.
The distress call was triggered around 2:30 p.m. when a Garmin inReach satellite device emitted an SOS signal to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
In response, deputies initiated a search and rescue operation, enlisting the help of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Mountain Rescue Team along with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office’s RAVEN helicopter crew.
Once the helicopter spotted the stranded individuals, a team member was lowered down to reach them. All three were then hoisted up and transported to a safe landing zone where Sierra County deputies awaited their arrival.
The sheriff’s office explained that the rescue required a helicopter hoist due to the challenging and hazardous terrain.
Gratitude was expressed toward all teams involved for their professionalism and coordination that led to the success of the operation. The Sierra Buttes, which stand approximately 8,600 feet tall, are located above the North Yuba River canyon, as noted by the Pacific Crest Trail Association.
Authorities have not provided details on how the trio ended up stranded or if they sustained any injuries.
The rescue operation received praise on social media, where many expressed thanks to the emergency crews and highlighted the crucial role of the RAVEN helicopter team in supporting regional communities.
Comments included appreciation for Sheriff Balaam’s use of the RAVEN team in various emergencies and admiration for the efficiency and expertise demonstrated by the rescue operation.
This dramatic rescue occurred amid two other notable rescue efforts involving hikers in Northern California earlier in the month. In one instance, a 39-year-old man from Florida sustained severe leg injuries after falling through a snow bridge on the Whitney Glacier; he was airlifted the following morning after rescuers battled challenging weather conditions.
Earlier this month, a 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman from Salt Lake City were rescued after being trapped for 36 hours between cliffs on Mount Shasta, but fortunately, neither sustained injuries.
