SEATTLE — A rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham rescued an injured hiker after he fell off a cliff into the water at Larrabee State Park, Saturday evening.
The 30-year-old man, who reportedly suffered a head injury, was transferred to EMS at 7:20 p.m.
Bellingham police department personnel contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at 6:50 p.m., asking for assistance rescuing a hiker who had reportedly fallen down a 40-foot cliff into the water south of Chuckanut Bay. Coast Guard crews launched aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small II and 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Bellingham.
The RBS-II crew located the man near the shoreline and was able to maneuver close enough for him to climb aboard. He was given first aid and transferred to the RBM crew, who transported him to waiting EMS.
“We train regularly with members of the Bellingham Fire Department so when we have to work together in a case like this it’s not our first time meeting,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Fernando Pratesi, crewman aboard the RBM. “This case shows how important those partnerships are, that we were able to get the injured man to the medical care he needed.”
Weather on scene was reported to be 50-degree air temperature with 5-mph winds and light rain.
