An injured hiker got assistance from not one but two search and rescue teams plus personnel from Fire District 3 on Sept. 21.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team received a call for assistance from Sequim resident Ruth Nelson, whose hiking partner Reed Finrock pulled his hamstring about 2.5 miles along the Camp Handy trail in the Buckhorn Wilderness.

Nelson hiked back to the trailhead and drove about 10 miles to get cell phone reception.

Clallam County Fire District 3 initially was dispatched and they requested the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue to respond to extricate the injured hiker. At the same time, a U.S. Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Team was conducting field training in Port Angeles and about 12 members of the team responded to assist rescuing the injured hiker.

The two groups and Fire District 3 EMTs Jim Whitaker and Kevin Van De Wege administered first aid to Finrock along the trail, then transported him up in a portable litter to the trailhead parking lot.

Officials from the Clallam County Search and Rescue encourages anyone hiking in the backcountry to be prepared, have enough survival gear to spend the night in the event they become injured or lost.

They also encourage hikers to make a trip plan, stick to that plan and prior to your departure, give it to a family member or friend.

Clallam County Search and Rescue Team is made up of volunteers and they always are looking for new members. For more information about the team, call 417-2262 or see www.clallam.net/emergencymanagement/searchrescue.html.