CHP copter rescues jogger, horseback rider

A California Highway Patrol helicopter rescued an injured jogger and injured horseback rider in two separate incidents within 90 minutes on Monday, the CHP said.

The Napa County Fire Department asked the CHP’s H-30 helicopter to rescue the injured jogger in Skyline County Park south of Napa at 3:34 p.m., CHP Officer James Andrews said. The jogger seriously injured her left ankle and could not walk, and the Fire Department decided a hoist rescue was needed because of the rugged terrain, Andrews said.

Pilot Scott Ellison held the helicopter in place 100 feet above the ground and paramedic Ben Schmidt lowered paramedic Jared Booth to the patient, Andrews said. Boothe and the patient were hoisted to the helicopter, which then landed and was reconfigured to a medevac unit and took the patient to a trauma center, Andrews said.

The Napa County Fire Department request the CHP H-30 helicopter at 4:48 p.m. to rescue a woman who suffered major injuries when she was knocked down by her horse northeast of Angwin Airport, Andrews said.

The same helicopter and crew landed nearby and flew the woman to a trauma center, Andrews said. The CHP’s Golden Gate Division Air Operations unit’s two helicopters and two airplanes are based at the Napa County Airport. The aircraft patrols 6,923 square miles with a population of 7 million people.