SAN FRANCISCO (July 10, 2012)--When he broke his leg and needed to be evacuated from a national forest in Northern California, U.S. Air Force doctor Jeremy Kilburn never thought he would be called on to save the life of his rescuer.

But that's just what happened when a California Highway Patrol officer sent to help Kilburn was hit by the rotor blades of a helicopter.

Kilburn told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the officer, Tony Stanley, suffered a fractured skull.

When he learned of the injury, Kilburn hobbled about 50 yards on his broken leg to Stanley.

He assessed Stanley's condition, tried to make sure his airway remained open and helped load him onto the helicopter, which took him to a hospital.

The CHP has credited Kilburn with saving Stanley's life.