Sheriff's Aviation Busy with Memorial Day Weekend Hoist Rescues

Sheriff’s Aviation Busy with Memorial Day Weekend Hoist Rescues

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The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation had a busy Memorial Day weekend conducting multiple hoist rescues of lost and injured hikers.

On Sunday, May 28, 2017, at around noon an injured hiker was reported to be in the San Bernardino Peak Trail. The rugged, mountainous terrain, along with the altitude of the San Bernardino Peak led them to call in the Sheriff’s helicopter (40 King 3) to assist in the search. While they were on their way they learned that the 45-year-old male hiker was not responsive and bystanders had begun performing CPR. When the victim was located a hoist rescue was performed. The crew determined that the man was in grave condition and would need to be rushed to Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) for advanced life support. The helicopter made it to LLUMC, where the man was released to the hospital and pronounced dead.

On Monday, May 29, 2017, Anaheim resident Jacqueline Sanchez, 24, was injured in the area of Aztec Falls near Deep Creek in Lake Arrowhead. At around 11:40 a.m. the rescue helicopter was called to assist the woman who had fallen and injured authorities said. When they arrived they located the woman in a steep and rocky area, around a mile from the nearest fire road in the San Bernardino National Forest. Due to the terrain features and remote location of where the victim was a hoist rescue was determined to be the best option.

The rescue medic was hoisted 112 feet into the canyon to make contact with the victim who was suffering from a head injury. She was placed into a rescue harness and hoisted to the helicopter followed by the rescue medic. She was transported to Mountains Community Hospital for the treatment of her injuries.