Video: Man saved in dramatic helicopter rescue

Video has been released of a dramatic cliff-face rescue conducted by the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team.

The rescue team reports the call for help came in on June 30. A hiker had become trapped on a cliff above Melakwa Lake near Snoqualmie Pass.

Ground teams were on the way, but the hiker feared he wouldn’t be able to hold on. The helicopter rescue team then joined the effort.

They spotted the man at around 5,000 feet in very steep terrain. The team was able to drop a rescuer from the helicopter to reach the stranded hiker.

The hiker was strapped in and lifted successfully to the helicopter. The unidentified man can be seen offering his rescuers a handshake after he was brought down safely.