For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1400117 |
| Date Issued: | Nov 01, 2014 - 3:45pm |
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Sheriff's Search and Rescue Volunteers and RAVEN helicopter help rescue two men from Pyramid Lake |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Two men were pulled from the choppy waters of Pyramid Lake earlier today thanks to a multi-agency rescue effort which included the Washoe County Sheriff's Office RAVEN helicopter and volunteers from the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit.
Shortly after 11:00 a.m., Pyramid Lake Fire Rescue Emergency Medical Services were notified that two fishermen were in the water after their canoe capsized off the western shore of Pyramid Lake, several miles south of Sutcliffe. Fire Rescue responded along with emergency crews from the Pyramid Lake Tribal Police, Pyramid Lake Rangers, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, REMSA and Careflight.
RAVEN arrived at the Lake with two volunteer swimmers from the Search and Rescue Unit onboard and began searching the area off Wino Beach. The first boater was located in rough water about a mile off shore still clinging to the canoe. Both rescue swimmers entered the water and the boater was hoisted into the helicopter.
A short while later the second boater was located. Again the volunteer rescue swimmers dropped into the water so that the victim could be hoisted into the helicopter.
RAVEN took both men to shore where they were transported to a local hospital.
"Seconds are critical when victims are in the water with this type of weather during this time of year," Washoe County Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek said. "I want to congratulate every person from every agency who played a role in today's rescue. Their training, talent and commitment to the safety of others culminated in well-coordinated effort to rescue both victims and get them to the medical treatment they need as swiftly as possible."
The RAVEN helicopter used in the rescue is an HH-1H Huey helicopter acquired from the Defense Reutilization Management Office (DRMO) at no cost to the tax payers.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.