Firefighters rescued a hiker in a daring high-angle rope operation Sunday, Jan. 24, after she was seriously injured in a 50- to 75-foot fall from a cliff near the scenic Nooksack Falls east of Glacier.
“It was kind of a complicated rescue, but we got it done with some great effort by the folks from (Whatcom County Fire) District 19, who are very well trained and equipped,” said Chief Jerry DeBruin of Whatcom County Fire District 14, who was incident commander at the scene.
Firefighters rushed the victim by ambulance to Glacier about 4:45 p.m., where she was flown by helicopter to St. Joseph hospital for treatment. Her age, name, hometown and condition were unknown.
Fire service radio dispatches said the woman was unconscious and not moving for about 20 minutes after the fall, which was reported about 3:20 p.m. Witnesses had to drive several miles downhill to Glacier to summon aid, because mobile phone service is spotty in the rugged, mountainous terrain.