Helicopter rescue of homeless man in Sonoma Valley Regional Park

An intoxicated homeless man was rescued from a remote location 100 feet away from a foot trail in Sonoma Valley Regional Park Friday afternoon, using the county’s Henry 1 helicopter team.

Friday afternoon, a little after 2 p.m., the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter, Henry 1, was dispatched along with Glen Ellen Fire Department, Eldridge Fire Department, and Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue, to Sonoma Valley Regional Park near Glen Ellen, following a report of an unconscious person in a remote area of the park.

According to Sgt. Pete Quartarolo of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, the crew arrived on scene at about 2:26 p.m. and made contact with fire department personnel who had located the patient in Sonoma Creek, about 100 yards away from a park trail. The area where the patient was located contained flowing water and was surrounded by steep terrain.

The man had regained consciousness by the time personnel arrived, but he was quite wet, either from the weather or the creek, said Sgt. Quartarolo. The patient was thought to be a 70-year-old homeless man who had been seen in the area.

Based on the terrain and the medical needs of the patient, crews determined that the helicopter was the most appropriate and quickest means to move the patient to an awaiting ambulance, at the same time reducing risk of injury to first responders and the patient.

The Henry 1 crew consists of a pilot, deputy sheriff/EMT and a paramedic, all trained to perform long line rescues.

The Henry 1 crew rigged the helicopter for a 100-foot long line rescue. The pilot flew the paramedic to the patient, on the end of the helicopter long line. The paramedic assessed the patient and then secured him in a Bauman Bag rescue device.

The pilot flew the patient and the paramedic to an awaiting Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue ambulance for continued emergency care, which took him to Sonoma Valley Hospital.

Further information on the patient and his condition are not available at this time.

UPDATED Saturday 1/16/16 5:32 pm