A Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew pulled off a dramatic swiftwater rescue on the Russian River south of Healdsburg on Thursday after a raft became pinned against trees in fast-moving current.
The crew aboard Henry-1 arrived to find two juveniles and one adult trapped on the raft in heavy current along the riverbank. All three were wearing life jackets, which officials said played a major role in keeping them safe until help arrived.
With ground access limited and water conditions too dangerous for a shore-based rescue, the crew used a 100-foot longline to reach the stranded group. A Sheriff’s Office paramedic was lowered to the raft and pulled each person to safety one at a time using a horse collar rescue device…