A hiker fell and broke her leg in a remote area of Crook County northeast of Prineville Thursday, prompting a rescue operation and a helicopter flight to the hospital, sheriff?s deputies said.

Crook County Fire and Rescue medics, sheriff?s deputies and Sheriff?s Search and Rescue were dispatched around 10:30 a.m. to the medical call at Twin Pillars Trailhead, off Forest Service Road 33 near Wildcat Campground, said sheriff?s Sgt. James Savage.

Julie Packard, 48, was reported to have fallen and broken her leg while hiking with relatives, Savage said, adding that she was about 4 ½ miles from the trailhead at the time.

Life Flight was activated due to the remoteness of the area, Savage said. Deputies, fire personnel and SAR members were able to hike in, reaching the woman around 1:40 p.m., he added.

Packard was brought out to the trailhead, and the Life Flight helicopter flew her to Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville, Savage said.