A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Oregon, worked alongside the Mason County Special Operations Team to rescue a 51-year-old and 16-year-old in Olympic National Forest on Sunday evening, Feburary 15, 2026.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Northwest District received a request to assist the Mason County Special Operations Team with two hikers who had fallen in an avalanche chute on Mount Ellinor in Olympic National Forest. Search and rescue personnel on the ground were unable to safely evacuate the patients on foot.
The 51-year-old was suffering from abdominal injuries due to a fall, and the 16-year-old injured their knee attempting to assist the hiker.
An aircrew aboard an MH-60T Jayhawk from Air Station Astoria arrived on scene shortly before 9:00 p.m. and hoisted both individuals. They were transported to Olympia Regional Airport for evaluation by emergency medical services.
Other agencies on scene included Mason County Search and Rescue, Mason County Sheriff’s Office and Olympic Mountain Rescue.