Medical Helicopter Tips Over During Rescue Near Washington Ski Area

During an effort to rescue an injured camper near Cle Elum, Washington, on Tuesday, September 25, 2025, a medical transport helicopter tipped onto its side while landing, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s office said.

The helicopter was called after rescuers decided that the camper’s injuries were serious enough to warrant an air evacuation. At around 11:00 p.m., the helicopter tipped over to the right as it was touching down at a landing zone in a gravel parking area off Washington’s Interstate 90, which connects Seattle to the eastern part of the state. 

None of the flight crew was injured in the accident, the Sheriff’s office said. 

The Sheriff’s office said that at around 8 p.m., deputies responded to a report that the camper hadn’t returned home when he planned. Based on the family’s information, they searched close to Little Kachess Lake, finding the missing man. He had an accidental cut and was bleeding seriously, the Sheriff’s Office said. 

In a separate press release, Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue called the camper’s injuries “life-threatening.” 

After the helicopter tipped, Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue said rescuers acted quickly, helping the flight crew from the helicopter and extinguishing the resulting fire. Photos shared by Snoqualmie Fire & Rescue show the helicopter lying on its side.

The injured camper was then taken by ambulance to a hospital in the Snoqualmie area for treatment, the Sheriff’s Office said. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have sent investigators to find out what caused the accident.

Little Kachess Lake is located southeast of the Summit at Snoqualmie, a ski area popular among Seattle area skiers and snowboarders. The lake is home to a campground and hiking trails. 

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