Woman rescued after falling 30 feet trying to help dog

Authorities say a Northern California woman on a rock-climbing outing lost her footing while shoring up a dog and tumbled 30 feet before she was rescued by helicopter.

The Sacramento Bee reports Michelle Powell was out with her boyfriend and a dog in the Sierra near South Lake Tahoe Sunday when he gave the dog a boost onto a ledge.

The California Highway Patrol said the dog started sliding back, at which point Powell tried to push the dog up. She lost her balance, fell backward and tumbled 30 feet.

Her boyfriend used a compass app on his cell phone to give CHP their location. Highway patrol officers used a helicopter to rescue Powell.

CHP flew her to a hospital where she was treated for injuries. The boyfriend and dog, both uninjured, hiked out.