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Injured Kayaker Rescued In The High Country

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson announced moments ago the successful rescue of an injured kayaker who was hoisted out of the high country at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet.

Michael Tate, 33, of Sacramento, was kayaking down the San Joaquin River late Tuesday afternoon, June 18, when he reportedly went over a 10 foot waterfall, injuring himself as he hit the bottom.The accident happened just south of Devils Post Pile. This location is not far from where, in October 2008, Search & Rescue teams with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Mono County Sheriff’s Office and Yosemite National Park, found the wreckage of the plane flown by millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett.

This particular area, while located in Madera County, is so remote, the only way to access it by ground would be through Mono County.

However, it would have taken ground crews several hours to reach the injured party, so the Madera County Sheriff’s Office contacted California Highway Patrol for air support. Two hours later the Sheriff’s Office received word that CHP helicopter H-40 successfully extracted the injured ayaker, and transported him to an area hospital in Mammoth.k

The Sacramento man is expected to recover from his injury.

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Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online