Off-duty California police officer rescues hiker trapped in whirlpool
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An off-duty police officer in California is being hailed for his quick-thinking after a hiker ended up trapped in a whirlpool on Saturday.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook the incident happened around noon when the 24-year-old hiker from Fresno attempted to cross Angel Falls near the village of Bass Lake, located about 14 miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The flow overwhelmed and swept him into a whirlpool, which held him under," the sheriff's office said.
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The sheriff's office said the 24-year-old misjudged the swiftness of the water when he decided to walk across.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With snow runoff, the cold spring water is flowing at about 50 to 80 feet per second.
Off-duty California Highway Patrol Brent Donley rescues a 24-year-old man from Fresno who ended up trapped in a whirlpool on Saturday. (Christina Donley via Storyful)
"That’s about like 50-80 basketballs full of water every second," the sheriff's office said.
As the man was struggling to stay above the water, an off-duty California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer just so happened to also be hiking nearby along the Willow Creek trail above Bass Lake.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Off-duty CHP officer Brent Donley, who also just so happened to be trained in search and rescue and in possession of a rope, quickly responded to help.
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Donley saved the drowning 24-year-old by throwing him a rope and pulling in to safety as onlookers watched. Donley was able to then pull the man to safety with the help of other good samaritans.
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The off-duty officer stayed with the Fresno man and provided first aid until search and rescue deputies and EMS arrived at the scene.
"We sincerely thank Officer Donley for his quick-thinking and preparedness," the sheriff's office said. "This search and rescue call could have ended very badly if not for his help."
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The sheriff's office said the man who was rescued was lucky and "needs to buy a lottery ticket." Officials stressed that those planning to visit the mountains, especially in spring as snow melts away, should not attempt to cross swift water.