Sacramento paramedics airlift injured kayaker from the American River in Tahoe National Forest

Firefighters rescued a woman by helicopter Saturday after she suffered an injury kayaking on the North Fork of the American River the day before, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

The woman was camping with friends near Heath Falls, south of Soda Springs in Tahoe National Forest, when she injured her leg, Metro Fire said in a news release.

Ground crews were unable to access the remote campsite on Friday — but paramedics with Metro Fire’s Air Operations Division were able to hoist the woman out and transfer her into the care of Truckee Fire Department personnel, officials said.

“Our team’s training and preparedness were key to the successful outcome of the mission,” said Nick Covington, a Metro Fire flight officer.

“We are grateful for the support and coordination of Cal Fire, Placer County Sheriff, and the Truckee Fire Department,” Covington said in the release. “This rescue underscores the importance of our ongoing commitment to public safety and ‘all-risk’ nature of Metro Fire.”

This story was originally published June 1, 2024 at 3:22 PM.