Hiker rescued after falling at Nojoqui Falls Park in Solvang

SOLVANG, Calif. — A 50-year-old hiker was rescued near Nojoqui Falls Park Saturday morning after allegedly falling.

According to Santa Barbara County Fire's public information officer Scott Safechuck, firefighters received a call around 11:00 a.m. about the injured hiker.

Safechuck says at first an air support unit was momentarily dispatched before the helicopter unit was cancelled.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department utilized their new utility task vehicle's instead.

"With our newer UTV's it's allowed to get to patient and cancel the helicopter, which is advantage," said Safechuck. "Sometimes, due to weather, they're not able to launch if it's cloudy, so having these UTV's expands are capability to get patient care or get paramedics to the patient as fast as possible."

The county fire department 11 UTV's is another avenue to help crews access remote areas such as Nojoqui Falls, Safechuck added.

A ground ambulance took the 50-year-old hiker to the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital for treatment.