Sitka Fire Department carried out two back-to-back rescues over the weekend.
Around 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, the department received a call from an injured hiker on Harbor Mountain. Assistant Fire Chief David Johnson said the woman fell and hurt her leg, and was having difficulty walking. Over 20 first responders hiked in to help her, and carried her down the mountain in a litter.
Around 8 p.m., shortly after the ambulance returned to the fire hall from the first rescue, the fire department received a call from a second hiker in the Indian River area who was experiencing a medical emergency. Around a dozen search and rescue volunteers and EMS personnel responded to the call, treated the hiker and brought her back to the trailhead in a litter.
Both hikers were transported to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center with minor injuries. Johnson said while having two back-to-back rescues is uncommon, it was a beautiful weekend and people were out enjoying the weather. Both hikers called 911 from their cell phones. Before taking a hike, Johnson recommended having a plan to communicate in the event of an emergency.
