Police rescue woman lost in pine barrens

A woman who got lost walking in a wooded area of Manorville on Wednesday evening was led to safety after police located her -- with a helicopter.

The incident began at about 7:45 p.m. in an area of the Long Island pine barrens region northeast of County Route 111 and Route 51, Suffolk County police said. The woman, whose identity was not released, called 911 to report she was lost and, police said, Seventh Precinct officers, parks police and an aviation unit all responded to the call.

Police said the pilot, Officer Rick Gianotti, flew over the area as the co-pilot, Officer Tammy Coniglio, maintained phone contact with the woman. A paramedic was on board, too.

Police said the lost woman was able to tell the officers how close the helicopter was to her location, noting the brightness of its searchlight.

The aviation unit eventually found the woman and ground units were able to reach her, police said. She was not injured, police said.