Harrison Ford credited with helicopter rescue of sick hiker in Idaho

Harrison Ford

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- Harrison Ford, the heroic rogue in such movies as "Star Wars" and the "Indiana Jones" series, is being credited with rescuing an ailing hiker from a mountain with his helicopter last month.

Sarah George, 20, and Megan Freeman, 22, were on a five-hour climb of Table Mountain on July 31 when heat, altitude and dehydration left George sick and unable to take more than a couple steps. After another hiker called for help on a cell phone, Ford was en route with his Bell 407 helicopter.

The part-time Jackson, Wyoming, resident offers his flying skills and helicopter for rescue missions, Teton County Sheriff Bob Zimmer said. It saves the cost of hiring a private pilot.

The actor landed his helicopter in a meadow and picked up George; Freeman was told there wasn't enough room and had to hike down.

"He was wearing a T-shirt and a cowboy hat," said George, who didn't know Ford was the pilot until an emergency medical technician on board made it clear. "He didn't look like I'd ever seen him before."

With about a minute to go before landing at Jackson's St. John's Hospital, the ailing George vomited into a hat.

"I can't believe I barfed in Harrison Ford's helicopter," she said.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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