OAKHURST - Thursday afternoon the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call regarding a female subject who had fallen along Lewis Creek at Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail. The patient, a 50-year-old female from Madera County, tripped and fell down about 30- 40 feet into a notch in the rock face while hiking along the creek with her family. She suffered injuries to her lower leg and was unable to walk, and the rock face prevented her from crawling up to safety. Family and bystanders were able to call 911 to request help.
Crews from MCSO, MCSO Search and Rescue Volunteers, CAL-FIRE, Madera County Fire, Sierra Ambulance, California Highway Patrol Helicopter, United States Forest Service Law Enforcement, and USFS Fire responded to the location. Crews were able to locate the female above Corlieu Falls.
Due to the location of the female, rescue crews had to use a rope system to retrieve her. A USFS Law Enforcement Officer was lowered to the female and placed her in a rescue harness to be hoisted to the top. She received medical treatment from Sierra Ambulance before crews carried her out about ½ mile to the nearest trailhead.
While carrying out this 50-year-old female, the rescue team came upon a hiker who was down in the middle of the trail. A 20-year-old female from Placer County was suffering from dehydration. The crew assigned a paramedic and additional crews to treat the 20-year-old female while rescuers took the 50-year-old to the trailhead.
The 50-year-old hiker was transported by Sierra Ambulance to a regional hospital for treatment of her injuries. The rescue crew was able to assist the 20-year-old with getting back to the trailhead, where she declined further treatment.
Over 25 rescuers came together to make this a successful mission. Both of these rescues took about 4 hours to complete. Sheriff Tyson Pogue states, “We are very grateful for the successful outcome of both rescues, and commend crews for their dedication. We would like to thank our valued agency partners for their assistance during this rescue. The combined expertise of our rescue teams is an invaluable asset to our county.”
Temperatures are rising again in the coming days- if you’re planning on venturing out this weekend, we strongly recommend bringing extra water and watching your step. With water levels being so low, it has opened new places to explore along the river. Many of the rocks are very slick even without water, and one fall could cause major injuries.