Dehydrated Runner Hoisted from Western States Trail
Placer County rescuers coordinated an aerial extraction east of Michigan Bluff.
An image of the hoist operation shared by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
FORESTHILL — Placer County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a text-to-911 message on April 4 from a runner on the Western States Trail east of Michigan Bluff. The runner reported dehydration along with severe cramping and an inability to continue the journey.
CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit personnel hiked just under two miles to reach the location. Rugged terrain prompted officials to request aerial assistance for the extraction.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit helicopter Falcon 30 responded and conducted a hoist operation. The aircraft then flew the runner to Foresthill, where medical crews transferred the runner to an awaiting ambulance for transport to a local hospital.
The Western States Trail forms the route for the Western States 100 ultramarathon. Sections east of Michigan Bluff feature steep canyons and challenging singletrack with thousands of feet in elevation change over several miles.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office shared a video of the hoist, which is available on its Facebook page and at https://www.facebook.com/reel/929052533461887.