Rescuers Airlift Injured Hiker from Mount Si Summit

An emergency crew airlifted an injured hiker who fell about 50 feet from the summit of Mount Si in Washington state on Saturday. The King County Sheriff Air Support team released video of the operation. The footage shows crew members scanning the area by helicopter before descending on ropes to retrieve the hiker.

Cloud cover, wind, and snow initially delayed the rescue at the 4,100-foot elevation. Once conditions improved, the team flew the hiker to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The hiker fell near Haystack Rock at the summit. Law enforcement stated the individual may have suffered a head injury.

The Washington Trails Association reports that more than 100,000 people hike Mount Si each year. The trail covers 8 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 3,150 feet. The organization describes the route as suitable for both experienced and novice hikers. Many experienced climbers use the trail to prepare for ascents of Mount Rainier.