On February 18, an elderly woman fell down an embankment in Sumas, Washington, prompting a coordinated rescue effort by local agencies. Whatcom County Fire District 14 received a report of her being missing overnight, leading them to initiate a search operation. Around 11 a. m. , a drone operated by the City of Sumas successfully located her precariously positioned on a cliffside near Anderson Lake Road.

Firefighters quickly teamed up with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Bellingham Police, and Sumas Police officers to establish a rope system for her safe extraction. The rescue operation demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in emergency situations. Once safely pulled from the cliff, the woman was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. This incident underscores the importance of timely response and advanced technology, such as drone assistance, in search and rescue operations. Community members can take comfort in knowing that local agencies are prepared to handle emergencies effectively.