Woman ‘clinging to the side of the hill... fallen into the rapids’ rescued at Nooksack Falls
A Navy helicopter aided in the rescue Friday evening, July 29, of an unidentified 24-year-old woman who reportedly fell over Nooksack Falls, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office news release Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Witnesses told Whatcom deputies they saw a person “clinging to the side of the hill and thought the individual had fallen into the rapids,” according to a release from Deb Slater, the department’s public affairs officer.
Because of dangerous conditions due to the water rapids, aid was sought from the Naval Air Station Whidbey Search and Rescue Air and Marine unit that responded with a helicopter.
Nooksack Falls drops 88 feet into the North Fork of the Nooksack River in Whatcom County east of Glacier and south of Mount Baker Highway.
“In total darkness, NAS Whidbey SAR found the individual, conscious and breathing, and hoisted the individual by helicopter out from the canyon,” Slater wrote.
The woman was found “about 100 yards downstream from the falls, on a shoulder of the river under a tree,” according to a Navy news release Wednesday, Aug. 3. The woman was hypothermic and had fall injuries and was rescued via a hoist.
She was treated for external injuries at St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham.
Fire personnel and U.S. Border Patrol Agents also responded to the incident.
“We are grateful that this incident ended in survival,” said Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo. “I would like to extend my appreciation to all of the agencies and individuals who assisted in this rescue, particularly the team from Naval Air Station Whidbey whose incredible skills and bravery made this successful outcome possible.”
This story was originally published August 2, 2022 at 12:11 PM.
