Rescue helicopter crashes while searching for injured hiker, California officials say

A rescue helicopter searching for an injured hiker in Madera County crash-landed, California sheriff’s officials say.

A hiker sent an alert at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, after possibly breaking an ankle near the area of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

A search-and-rescue helicopter from Naval Air Station Lemoore heading to assist the hiker “experienced difficulties resulting in a hard landing,” sheriff’s officials said.

The four people on board suffered minor injuries, officials said.

Rescue efforts for the helicopter crew and injured hiker are ongoing, the release said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Madera County is about 40 miles north of Fresno.

This story was originally published October 1, 2023 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Rescue helicopter crashes while searching for injured hiker, California officials say."