It was another busy weekend for rescue crews in the Sierra this past weekend, with four air hoists needed just on Saturday. There was one for a sick hiker and one for an injured rock climber. And there were two more related to another near-drowning in the South Yuba River. CHP Officer Matt Calcutt says for some reason 25-year-old Kalani Tuiano, from Reno, had to swim, upstream, across the swift-flowing river from Emerald Pools…

0lick to listen to Officer Calcutt

Calcutt says a CHP helicopter found Tuiono on a small rock in the middle of the river, above a 40-50 foot waterfall, making for a very difficult and precarious hoist. Using a rescue basket, a hook was lowered and the helicopter moved into position, with no room for error. As the basket was placed next to the rock, a fireman assisted Tuiono into it. The basket was raised, as the pilot began climbing and flying to a landing zone. And, then, about 2 hours later, Calcutt says Tuiono’s girlfriend also had to be hoisted in the same area…

click to listen to Officer Calcutt

Calcutt says amazingly Tuiano had only minor scratches and abrasions.