Stranded hiker rescued by helicopter in Post Falls

A Spokane County Sheriff’s Office helicopter rescued a hiker in Q’emiln Park in Post Falls Friday afternoon after he suffered from heat exhaustion and couldn’t hike out.

Kootenai County firefighters hiked to the man, but because of the difficulty of the terrain, they could not carry him out, said Capt. Seth Hohenstreet of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. They called the Spokane Ccounty Sheriff’s Office to get a helicopter to assist.

“It was an advanced hiking area,” Hohenstreet said.

Rescue workers hoisted the hiker, whose name was not released, into the helicopter, then delivered him to firefighters. He was later taken to the hospital in an ambulance, Hohenstreet said.

“Summer is upon us,” he said. “Folks want to get outside. They need to make sure they have enough water and physical abilities for their hikes.”