Sonoma County Sheriff's Office helicopter assists in search for lost hiker on Mount Tamalpais

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Henry 1 rescued a hiker who was lost on the south side of Mount Tamalpais Friday evening, officials said.

The hiker, a Marin County man in his mid-60s, had strayed off the designated trails and was walking “cross-country” before getting stuck in a steep and inaccessible area, according to the sheriff’s Facebook page.

Emergency officials called on Henry 1 because of its ability to conduct a nighttime long-line rescue. With information provided by the California Highway Patrol, Henry 1’s pilot was able to quickly locate the hiker.

A 100-foot line was used to reach the Marin County resident. A sheriff’s paramedic affixed himself to the bottom of the line and was flown to the hiker.

Both the victim and the paramedic were then flown to a nearby parking lot. Officials said the hiker was not injured.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.