Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Helicopter Rescue



Location: Punch Bowls, Santa Paula Canyon, Santa Paula, CA



Date & Time: May 15, 2010 / 7:45 PM



Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Aviation Unit



(V)ictim: City of residence: Age:



V1 – Crystal Estrada Port Hueneme 23 years

V2 – Tiffany Gonzales Port Hueneme 19 years



Narrative:



On May 15, 2010, at approximately 7:45 PM, a helicopter was requested for six lost hikers near the punch bowls in Santa Paula Canyon. Initial information stated two of the six hikers sustained traumatic injuries. This is a remote area in the Los Padres National Forest and is only accessible by foot or helicopter.



The Sheriff’s Department helicopter, piloted by Kim Bergeson, responded with a rescue crew. The pilot and crew utilized night vision goggles (NVG) during the rescue due to darkness and the remote location. While responding to the rescue, flight Paramedic Caesar Beningo and Upper Ojai Search & Rescue members Andy VanSciver and David Musgrove staged on the soccer fields at Thomas Aquinas College. Upon landing at the college, all three were loaded onto the helicopter to assist with the rescue operation.



After an aerial search of the canyon was initiated, the six lost hikers were located on a large rock about one quarter mile downstream from the punch bowls. Andy VanSciver and David Musgrove were hover offloaded onto a trailhead about one quarter mile from the six hikers.



Due to the unknown medical condition of the two injured hikers, the rescue helicopter hovered over the area of the hikers. Beningo and crew chief Jeff Golden were hoisted 75’ down into the narrow canyon. About ten minutes after Beningo and Golden contacted the hikers, VanSciver and Musgrove arrived to assist. Due to the injuries sustained by Estrada and Gonzales, the decision was made to transport them out of the canyon by helicopter.



Beningo and Golden assisted in moving Estrada and Gonzales to an open area along the river. Pilot Bergeson positioned the rescue helicopter near the four, and they were hover loaded onto the helicopter from the top of a large boulder. Both injured hikers were flown to an awaiting ambulance at Thomas Aquinas College.



VanSciver and Musgrove escorted the remaining un-injured four hikers out of the canyon on foot. The four hikers were reunited with family and friends at the college parking lot.



The Ventura County back country is a beautiful place to visit and camp; however, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind all visitors to be prepared for their adventure. Always carry plenty of water, food, maps, a first aid kit, and flashlights for an emergency situation. Advise your family or friends of your plans and location prior to entering the backcountry.







Officer Preparing Release: Sr. Deputy White (805) 388-4212



Follow-up Contact: Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit



Date of Release: May 16, 2010



Approved by: Captain Eric Dowd