NORTH BEND, Ore. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew assisted North Lincoln Fire and Rescue by hoisted an injured, 78-year-old female hiker from a beach near God’s Thumb north of Lincoln City, Saturday.
The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew safely transported the hiker to waiting emergency medical service personnel at a local casino parking lot.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend were notified at 11:14 a.m. by local 911 dispatch about the response. However, the request for assistance came from the North Lincoln Fire and Rescue captain, who hailed the aircrew over the radio, when he spotted them flying by while he was on scene coordinating the rescue response.
The aircrew reported that they had to stay high due to winds coming over God’s Thumb creating severe turbulence, which made for an extremely challenging hoist.
Fire department responders reported the hiker had suffered an open-wound break on one of her ankles after she suffered a fall.