The hiker apparently misjudged the speed of the water as he attempted to cross Angel Falls in California, police said, and found himself trapped in cold spring water flowing 50 to 80 feet by second.
Brent Donley, a California Highway patrol officer on leave and duty, who is trained in search and rescue, was also hiking in the area near Bass Lake in Madera County.
Donley used a strap from his backpack and tied it around a branch so the hiker could grab it, police said. He threw the branch at the man, then spoke to him during the rescue, according to a video posted by California Highway Patrol Fresno.
With the help of a group of other hikers, Donley put the unnamed man in a safe place. He provided first aid until the arrival of search and rescue officers.
"This ... call could have ended very badly without his help," wrote the office of the Madera County Sheriff, who urged visitors not to cross the fast waters.
Angel Falls is one of the main attractions for hikers along the Willow Creek Trail, one of the most difficult trails, according to the USDA Forest Service. The trail is almost 3 miles long and has a moderate to steep climb. According to a local travel site for Bass Lake, the Willow Creek trail is unsafe due to slippery rocks along the way.
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