YACOLT, Wash. -- A helicopter lifted a man off Mount St. Helens on Saturday after he fell into the volcano's crater.

Deputies said snowmobiler John Slemp, 52, fell 100 to 200 feet when a cornice hanging over the crater gave way.

Slemp and two others had parked their snowmobiles near the west crater rim. After getting off his snowmobile, Slemp fell and landed on the inside slope of the crater. Deputies said he then slid on his hands and knees to the bottom of the crater.

Slemp, who lives in Damascus, was wearing his snowmobile helmet.

Skamania County Undersheriff Dave Cox said officials received word of the fall at about 5:20 p.m. The Volcano Rescue Team from Fire District 13 in Yalcolt responded to rescue Slemp.

A helicopter landed near the crater's edge, rescuers walked into the crater and then helped Slemp walk out.

Slemp was taken to a fire department in Yacolt, where he was then taken to a hospital. He was in fair condition Sunday morning.

The U.S. Forest Service will investigate the incident.

Related:
View the Mount St. Helens High-Def VolcanoCam.