Hiker Meets Contra Costa County Chopper Crew Who Saved Her Life

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A hiker who was seriously injured while trekking through the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness area with her son, recently had the opportunity to meet the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff STARR 3 helicopter crew members who saved her life.

"I can't express how amazing it was," hiker Noni Turner said. "Every time I hear a helicopter, I thank God for them and bless them."

Turner, who is still recovering from her injuries, made a trip to visit her heroes, and got a tour of the helicopter facility.

It was late April when the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District dispatch got an afternoon call about an injured hiker. While in a creek bed in a steep ravine, Turner somehow lost her balance and fell backward, landing on her back and head. She was in severe pain and unable to move on her own. Fortunately, her son Frank was with her and was able to call 911.

The STARR 3 chopper and crew arrived within minutes and quickly located Noni in an area that was completely inaccessible to rescue vehicles. "The terrain was steep, wet and muddy," according to the sheriff's department. The STARR 3 crew landed safely nearby, but Tactical Flight Officer Deputy M. Ireland, Flight Rescue Technician T. Murphy, and Sergeant R. Borkert had to still make it over to Noni, which they did successfully. Watch the rescue here:

"This was one of most technical short-haul rescues ever conducted by STARR 3. Pilot J. Meyers had to insert the air crew into a small space in a steep ravine that was filled with tall trees," according to the sheriff's department.

Noni was stabilized and placed into an Air Rescue Systems bag, then short-hauled to a San Ramon Valley Medic team that was waiting in the parking lot of Rancho Romero Elementary School in Alamo. The Concord resident was then transported to a local hospital.

"We were happy they were there to help," Frank said. "We were impressed and grateful for their professionalism and the attention they paid to me and my mom."

The STARR helicopters have performed nearly 30 such long-line rescues since the program was founded several years ago, according to the sheriff's department. "Without the helicopter," the department continued, "a rescue like the one for Noni could take several hours and involve numerous rescue personnel, instead of the minutes it takes using a helicopter long line rescue."