The Tumwater Fire Department and Thurston County Medic One helped the U.S. Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams rescue two injured hikers on Mount Ellinor in Mason County on Sunday.
The Mason County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched at about 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, to a report of a 51-year-old female who sustained a fall in the avalanche chute along the winter route of Mount Ellinor.
She sustained abdominal injuries with suspected internal bleeding, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders later learned a 16-year-old male injured his knee while attempting to assist the woman.
The King County Sheriff’s Office attempted to access the patients with the Guardian One aircraft, but the air operation was aborted due to weather conditions.
Mason County Special Operations Team (SORT), with help from Mason County Search & Rescue and Olympic Mountain Rescue, led an on-foot rescue mission, with three separate ground teams from the combined units making their way to the patients.
As of 8:56 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was on scene and attempting to airlift both patients, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescue teams confirmed that both patients were successfully on board the aircraft at about 9:36 p.m.
Coast Guard crews airlifted the patients from the mountain and brought them to the Olympia Airport. They were met by Tumwater Fire Department and Thurston County Medic One crews, who completed medical assessments and transported both patients to Providence St. Peter Hospital.
Both patients sustained minor injuries, according to Tumwater Fire.
“TFD actually had the easy part!,” Thurston County Medic One said in a social media post Sunday night. “Mason County Search & Rescue, Mason County Sheriff's Office, Mason SORT and the U.S. Coast Guard are the MVP’s! Excellent coordination Thurston 911 and everyone who worked this rescue! Our thoughts are with the patients for speedy recoveries!!”
“We’re grateful for the strong teamwork that helps keep our community safe,” Tumwater Fire said in its own social media post.
Said Mason County Search & Rescue, “We love seeing solid partnerships and teamwork!!! Way to come together to get the job done and get the subjects the support they needed.”
