A hiker suffering a possible broken femur was airlifted to safety on May 30 after becoming injured in rugged backcountry terrain near South Chilco Mountain in North Idaho, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office contacted the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit’s Rescue 3 at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the hiker went down roughly four and a half miles south of the Bunco Trailhead parking lot. The location was inaccessible by vehicle or UTV, leaving ground crews with no option but to hike in on foot.
The Rescue 3 helicopter reached the victim at 12:58 p.m. A rescue medic was lowered by hoist to assess the hiker’s injuries on the ground. The victim was then hoisted off the mountainside and flown to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene for treatment.
By May 31, the hiker had already undergone surgery and was reported to be in good condition, with discharge expected shortly.
What Comes Next
The successful outcome highlights the critical role regional air rescue resources play in protecting backcountry hikers across Kootenai County and the broader North Idaho Panhandle, where remote terrain routinely puts responders in challenging conditions. Residents planning to hike in the area’s more isolated trails are encouraged to carry communication devices and inform others of their planned routes before heading out.