A fisherman who was swept by waves in Sonoma County was rescued by helicopter after suffering major injuries, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew responded to a report of a fisherman being swept by waves off rocks at Fort Ross State Historic Park. The deputies went to the coast along with the Timber Cove Fire Protection District, Coast Life Support District, and California State Parks.

In a framegrab from video, rescuers carry an injured fisherman after he was rescued from the rocks near Fort Ross State Historic Park on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook)

The fisherman was able to get out of the water on his own but was seriously injured. Authorities said steep terrain prevented ground crews from reaching him.

Using GPS coordinates from the fisherman’s cellphone call, the helicopter located him with its camera. The crew landed nearby and set up a 100-foot-longline rescue system.

A sheriff’s tactical flight officer was flown to the fisherman, assessed his injuries, and secured him in a rescue device known as a hot seat.

The fisherman was flown to the fort where he was provided initial medical aid. He was then flown to a trauma center for further treatment, the Sheriff’s Office said.