KODIAK, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew assisted Alaska State Troopers and Sitka Mountain Rescue personnel to hoist a 50-year-old man who fell off a steep cliff while hiking the Sisters Mountains in Sitka, Alaska, Saturday.
The man was transferred to Sitka emergency medical services personnel in stable condition but with reported head injuries.
Sector Juneau command center watchstanders received notification from Sitka Fire Department personnel at approximately 2 p.m. requesting helicopter support for a man who fell approximately 100 feet while hiking and was reported to have sustained a head and potential back injury from the fall. District 17 command center watchstanders directed the launch of an Air Station Sitka helicopter crew to assist with the rescue.
Sitka Mountain Rescue personnel escorted two other hikers in the party off the mountain after the man was safely hoisted.
“This was definitely a challenging mountain rescue based on the deteriorating weather, altitude and rugged terrain,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Jacobs, a pilot on the case. “It highlights the interagency cooperation, advanced training and unique mission sets that Coast Guard units execute daily in Southeast Alaska.”
The rescue occurred at 2,000 ft. in elevation with 3 mph winds, 4 miles visibility with patchy fog, light rain and an air temperature of 52 degrees.
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