Authorities rescued an injured 34-year-old Sacramento man Friday afternoon from the high country of northeastern Madera County after responding to the distress calls of a five-man kayak crew to which he belonged.
The crew had started a journey down the San Joaquin River-Middle Fork near Devils Postpile, a basalt rock formation and national monument, earlier that day and had made it as far as the base of Balloon Dome, a sheer canyon that is difficult to reach due to “extremely rugged terrain,” according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Erica Stuart.
The 34-year-old was hurt when he was sucked vertically under the water of a lower pool below Balloon Dome. He almost succeeded in abandoning his kayak when, with only his feet still inside, he was pulled under again. While breaking free he suffered injuries to both of his legs.
The canyon area is devoid of habitations within a 20-mile radius, so the kayakers used an emergency messaging device to alert authorities shortly before noon. By 1:08 p.m., a California Highway Patrol helicopter found the group, hoisted the injured person on, and took him to Batterson Station, just north of Oakhurst. From there he was taken to California Regional Medical Center...