Video available: Coast Guard rescues 2 stranded hikers near Eel River

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 03/30/2017 12:10 AM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

March 29, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865

Video Available: Coast Guard rescues 2 stranded hikers near Eel River

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoists hikers who were stranded along the Eel River near Island Mountain, March 29, 2017. The hikers were reportedly sightseeing along the Eel River when they became disoriented and lost after sunset. (U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Sector Humboldt Bay/Released)

Editor's Note: Click on image above to download full-resolution video. 

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. ⎯ The Coast Guard rescued two hikers who were stranded along the Eel River near Island Mountain, Wednesday morning.

Local responders contacted Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders around 10 p.m., Tuesday requesting assistance locating two hikers who had become stranded.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay hoisted two men into the helicopter and transferred them to local response personnel waiting in a nearby field at approximately 12:20 a.m.

The hikers were reportedly sightseeing along the Eel River when they became disoriented and lost after sunset. One man was reportedly experiencing symptoms of dehydration at the time of the rescue.

A ground party consisting of local responders attempted to reach the hikers but were unable due to river flow and rapids.

Weather at the time of the rescue consisted of clear skies with temperatures in the 40s.

There were no reports of injuries.

-USCG-