CHP helicopter team rescues climber from 700-foot cliff
– A Paso Robles-based California Highway Patrol helicopter team rescued an injured rock climber from a 700-foot cliff at Courtright Reservoir on Sept. 11.
At approximately 12:45 p.m., Helicopter-70, or H-70, from the CHP Coastal Division Air Operations received a request from the CHP Central Division Air Operations for a rescue at Courtright Reservoir, which is located in the southwestern Sierra Nevada.
A rock climber had fallen off a steep rock face commonly known as “Power Dome” and was in urgent need of extraction and medical care.
H-70 responded from its base at Paso Robles Airport with a crew of two. Using a helicopter rescue technician from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, H-70 performed a hoist extraction of the injured climber and then transported the climber to an awaiting ambulance.
CHP Air Operations aircraft are used throughout California for search and rescue operations. The helicopters are crewed by a pilot and flight officer/paramedic, who also functions as the hoist operator.
The crews rely on collaborative efforts with partner agencies, particularly helicopter rescue technician team members, to ensure the safest outcome.
The California Highway Patrol thanked all agencies that participated in the rescue.
