Off-duty police officer rescues hiker trapped in whirlpool

An off-duty police officer in California, USA, is being praised online for his "quick-thinking and preparedness" after a hiker ended up trapped in a whirlpool over the weekend.

The Madera County Sheriff's Office took to Facebook to detail that the incident occurred around noon when a 24-year-old hiker from Fresno attempted to cross Angel Falls, near the village of Bass Lake, which is located around 14 miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park.

"A 24 year old Fresno man needs to buy a lottery ticket because today is his lucky day! He had been hiking along Willow Creek above Bass Lake at noon today when he arrived at Angel Falls," the Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook, adding that the accompanying video shows their deputies retrieving the victim’s backpack from the whirlpool.

"Misjudging the swiftness of the water, he decided to walk across. With snow runoff, the water is flowing at 50-80 feet per second. That’s about like 50-80 basketballs full of water every second. The flow overwhelmed and swept him into a whirlpool, which held him under. Here’s where his luck comes in."

"Hiking in the same area, at the same time, was an off-duty CHP Officer from the CHP – Fresno Area who just happens to be trained in Search and Rescue and in possession of a rope. Off-duty Officer Brent Donley saved the drowning man by throwing him a rope and pulling him to safety. Donley stayed with the man and provided first aid until Search and Rescue deputies and EMS arrived.

We sincerely thank Officer Donley for his quick-thinking and preparedness. This Search and Rescue call could have ended very badly if not for his help."

"Please - if you are planning on visiting the mountains - do not attempt to cross swift water and make safety part of your plan," they added, as a point of caution.