San Ramon Valley Fire Assists With Trail Rescue

SAN RAMON, CA — A member of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District lent a hand Sunday to hoist an injured hiker to safety, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officials said a helicopter with the CHP's Golden Gate Division was dispatched on a report of a hiker suffering a medical emergency on the Blue Ridge Trail near Lake Berryessa. The helicopter spotted the hiker between a ridge and some switchbacks.

The CHP said a San Ramon Valley Fire HRT member who was completing some training was utilized for the rescue and was lowered to reach the hiker and place them in a rescue harness. The aerial crew took the hiker to a waiting ambulance for medical evaluation. Officials said the successful operation marked the H-30 helicopter's 80th rescue of the year.

Later in the afternoon, the same helicopter helped crews on the ground complete a nearby water rescue.