Archive image: An aviation survival technician (rescue swimmer) aboard a MH-65 Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville, California, prepares to begin cliff rescue training at Patrick’s Point State Park.
The Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter and MH-60 Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrews routinely conduct cliff rescue training to maintain qualifications and to maintain proficiency in their rescue techniques in the event of a person in distress on a cliff.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Brandyn Hill
MCKINLEYVILLE, California. — A Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue (medevac) of a 16-year-old girl (hiker) after she was reported to have fallen 30-40 feet from a cliff near Trinidad. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at afternoon.
At 2:46 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received a request from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to assist in the rescue.
The Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders diverted an Air Station Humboldt Bay MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter aircrew from a search and rescue (SAR) training mission to conduct the medical evacuation of the injured girl.
The MH-65E Dolphin aircrew arrived on scene and coordinated with ground responders to safely hoist the girl from the cliff. The injured teen was then transferred to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka and was reported to be in stable condition.
–USCG–
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