NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. — A five-member team from the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island rescued a small group of people who were trapped on sandbar near the High Steel Bridge in the Olympic Mountains.
The search and rescue team was called Thursday night to help the Mason County Sheriff's Department save four people who were trapped on a sandbar in the Skokomish River.
The helicopter team made it through a steep, narrow canyon and arrived at the site of the stranded people at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Several airmen rappelled down to evaluate the people for injuries. Since no one was hurt, the team began a hoist pickup.
The terrain and high trees made the recovery difficult, but the team had everyone onboard in 20 minutes and brought them to safety.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island's Search and Rescue team perform a demonstration on June 25, 2016, during the base open house.
Photo Credit: MC2 John Hetherington/Navy
