Harrowing moment helicopter hovers frighteningly close to cliff face to rescue fallen climber

An injured rock climber had to be airlifted from a steep cliff in the Sierra Nevada after experiencing a bad fall Friday afternoon.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that at about 12:45 p.m. Sept. 11, CHP’s Coastal Division Air Operations received a call to help with a rescue at Courtright Reservoir in the southwestern Sierra Nevada.

The climber had fallen while on Power Dome, a massive granite formation at the reservoir, and needed to be evacuated for medical treatment.

Helicopter-70 (H-70) from CHP – Coastal Division Air Operations performs a hoist extraction of an injured rock climber at the Courtright Reservoir in the southwestern Sierra Nevada on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. CHP – Coastal Division Air Operations

A helicopter flew to the area from its base at Paso Robles Airport with a crew of two people.

The climber was rescued with the assistance of a helicopter rescue technician from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and transported to an awaiting ambulance. CHP – Coastal Division Air Operations

A helicopter rescue tech from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office also helped with the rescue.

The crew used the helicopter’s hoist to lift the injured climber from the rock face.

The climber was then flown to an ambulance waiting nearby for medical care.

A helicopter flew to the area from its base at Paso Robles Airport with a crew of two people to rescue the climber. CHP – Coastal Division Air Operations

CHP didn’t provide details about the climber’s identity or the extent of the person’s injuries.

CHP Air Operations helicopters are used for search-and-rescue missions throughout California.

Each aircraft is staffed by a pilot and a flight officer/paramedic, who also works the helicopter’s hoist.

“Our crews rely on the collaborative efforts of our partner agencies, particularly our Helicopter Rescue Technician team members, in order to ensure the safest outcome,” CHP added.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *