Pilot rescued after helicopter ends up in river

A pilot who landed on the bank of the East Fork of the Carson River for a day of fishing on Tuesday called for help after the bank gave way as he was starting the helicopter to take off and it ended up in the water.

According to the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Tom Minder and deputies responded to the area of the East Fork of the Carson River to locate the man. While in route, deputies were notified the man had called into 911 to report his helicopter crashed and was currently in the East Carson River.

The pilot was able to get out of the helicopter and swim to shore.

Dispatch was able to provide coordinates for the angler’s location and deputies found him.

The angler sustained minor injuries in the crash and was flown by from the scene Care Flight to Carson Valley Medical Center for treatment.

The helicopter remains in the river. However, crews are being coordinated to retrieve it. The helicopter is not fully submerged and is not leaking fuel or other fluids into the waterway.

The FAA, USFS, and California Fish and Wildlife have been notified and are coordinating a response.