Crew rescues hiker after 50-foot fall in Olympic National Forest

BRINNON, Wash. (AP) — The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says a 24-year-old Seattle hiker has been rescued after falling 50 feet down a steep embankment over the weekend.

The Peninsula Daily News says a helicopter crew on Sunday morning hoisted Thomas Mackenzie off a slope on The Brothers Mountain on the east side of Olympic National Forest.

Mackenzie was listed in serious but stable condition in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Sunday.

The man's hiking companion called for help Saturday night, saying his friend had struck his head during a fall. The friend had to hike several hours to get cellphone service.

Sheriff's Detective Brett Anglin says rescue teams tried to ascend the mountain at about 1 a.m. Sunday but couldn't reach the injured hiker in the rugged terrain.

A helicopter crew from the King County Sheriff's Department eventually hoisted him out at 4:30 a.m. Sunday.