STARR 3 Rescues Injured Hiker near Lafayette

On Saturday, March 16, 2019, at about 4:18 PM, Sheriff's Office helicopter STARR 3 was monitoring aircraft radios when crew members heard a report of an elderly hiker down on the Acalanes trail near Lafayette.
STARR 3 arrived in the area and within minutes located the victim. At the time no medical units were in the area and the hiker was a half a mile up from the trailhead. STARR 3 landed nearby and deployed Contra Costa Fire Protection District Captain/Paramedic M. DePolo and Flight Rescue Technician C. Coelho to evaluate the victim. Due to the victim's age, injury, and steep terrain that was inaccessible to emergency vehicles, Captain DePolo requested the victim be short-hauled to awaiting medical units.
STARR 3 landed in a nearby area and was outfitted for short-haul. Several minutes later the victim was packaged and transported via short-haul to awaiting medical units nearby. The victim was then transported to the hospital.
The other air crew members on this rescue were pilot J. Meyers and Tactical Flight Officer M. Ireland.