A Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter air crew based out of Washington's Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) helped to save a fallen climber on Mount Baker October 21.

According to a US Navy release, the victim -- a San Juan Island, WA resident -- was climbing on Coleman Glacier October 20 when he slipped and fell into a 65-70 foot crevasse at approximately 4:00 pm. His climbing partner lowered himself into the crevasse, administered basic first aid and placed the victim on a pad and inside a sleeping bag before climbing out of the crevasse and seeking help.

Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council (BMRC), a volunteer group of mountain SAR specialists, ascended Mount Baker and reached the victim on the glacier. The victim had suffered multiple fractures and lacerations.

BMRC spent the night keeping the victim warm and making preparations to hoist the victim out of the crevasse to the surface of the glacier... which is, of course, where the helicopter comes in.

NASWI's Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter launched at 9:30 am October 21 to assist the BMRC team with the rescue. The crew, aircraft commander, Cmdr. Mark Nowicki, co-pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Vorenkamp, crew chief, Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 1st Class James Barrailler, rescue swimmer, Senior Chief Aviation Systems Warfare Operator Phillip Meyers and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Greg Highfill, staged the helicopter in a landing zone at Mount Baker Vista after establishing communications with BMRC on the radio.

BMRC determined that bringing the helicopter over the scene with personnel down in the crevasse could be hazardous to the victim and rescuers due to overhanging ice and an unstable ice shelf. The SAR crew remained nearby until BMRC had extricated the injured climber and rescue team members from the crevasse.

At 11:35 am, the helicopter crew received the call from BMRC to proceed to the landing zone for pick up. The aircraft launched from the vista and proceeded the two miles to the glacier. After establishing the helicopter in a hover over the scene, Highfill donned his crampons and was lowered to the team via the helicopter rescue hoist.

"After I got to the surface of the glacier, I found the terrain to be extremely steep and treacherous and the patient in bad shape," said Highfill.

Within 10 minutes, the climber was secured in the litter and ready for pickup. Highfill and the climber were then hoisted into the safety of the cabin and began the transit to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for further treatment.

Well done, guys.

(Aero-News salutes Lt. Cmdr. Todd Vorenkamp, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue Public Affairs)

FMI: www.navy.mil