WATCH: Helicopter Crew Rescues Hiker From Black Diamond Mines

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A hiker who became stranded when he suffered heat exhaustion was rescued Saturday by a Contra Costa County sheriff's helicopter crew from Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve near Antioch.

Firefighter/paramedics with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded and began hiking to the patient's location. At 2:06 p.m., Con Fire requested a short haul from the sheriff's STARR 3 helicopter crew because of the hiker's condition, the steep terrain and lack of trails in the area, the sheriff's office said.

The hiker apparently began feeling dizzy; in an effort to get back to the parking lot sooner, he decided to leave the trail and cut across the hillside, the sheriff's office said in a social media post with video of the rescue.

But the hiker suffered heat exhaustion and fell in a steep area, and had to hang onto a barbed wire fence to prevent himself from falling farther, according to the sheriff's office.

As firefighters hiked to the patient's location, STARR 3 responded from above and found the hiker.

"Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Sheriff M. Ireland and Air Support Unit Sgt. M. Rodriquez short hauled the hiker to an awaiting ambulance for treatment," the sheriff's office said.