Metro showcases helicopter rescue process — VIDEO

Las Vegas police Wednesday simulated a helicopter rescue near Red Rock Canyon to spread the word about Search and Rescue officers and volunteers.

Metro Search and Rescue officers began the mock mountain rescue at 8:30 a.m. at Red Spring Park, on Calico Basin Road off of Red Rock Canyon Road.

Officers flew a hiker to a landing zone at the Red Rock Overlook, just west of the Red Rock Visitor Center. Officers and volunteers were available for interviews after the exercise.

Las Vegas police rescue more than 100 people via helicopter annually.

This year there have been significantly more rescues compared to the same time period last year, police said.

Crews have plucked 59 to safety so far this year, compared to 35 at the same date in 2014, Metro spokesman Jesse Roybal said.

The simulated rescue was held to inform the public about the rescue process so they might exercise caution when hiking and to showcase search and rescue workers’ expertise, Roybal said.

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @lauxkimber.