Injured woman’s rescue assisted by two horses

According to information received by KMUD News from the Arcata Fire Protection District:
"A McKinleyville family of six and their two horses Sioux and Vego assisted with the rescue of a 54 year old beach goer after she slipped and injured her ankle while hiking. The injured woman was visiting the beach near the mouth of the Mad River when she slipped on the moss covered rocks and was rendered unable to walk. The patient’s friends called 911 and gave rescuers their general location, which was a remote portion of the beach.  Arcata Fire Department and Arcata Mad/River Ambulance were dispatched and after searching the area discovered the injured woman on the edge of Mad River near its mouth. Rescuers were concerned with an incoming tide because the patient was down between the river edge and a steep cliff.

As they began to make arrangements with Cal Fire to have the patient air lifted out the Robinson & Alexander families and their two equestrian friends were summoned by firefighters to assist. As the horses were prepared for the task the patient was secured for a spectacular beach ride on unstable terrain. The patient was loaded and the family assisted the rescuers by leading the horses to an awaiting ambulance. The patient was extremely grateful for the family and their horses, and although the injured woman was in a great deal of pain the rescue went off without a hitch and the woman was transported in stable condition to a local hospital.