Full Notification

DATE/TIME: 12-20-2014 1620hrs
INCIDENT: Search and Rescue / Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Mountain Home Creek
SUSPECT(S):
VICTIM(S): Female 17yrs Yucaipa, Ca



SUMMARY: On Saturday December 20, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Sheriff’s dispatch received a report of a female hiker in area of Mountain Home Creek in need of assistance. The victim was hiking the Mountain Home Creek area with her mother and their two dogs. The female hiker wandered off the trail and got stuck on a steep slope with heavy brush in the canyon. The victim’s mother was able to hike out of the canyon and called the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department for help. Deputies from the Yucaipa Station responded along with a Sheriff’s patrol helicopter 40King1 to help locate the victim. The victim was located by Deputy Paul Franklin on the ground and the crew of the patrol helicopter, 40King1 with Deputies Ted Byerly and Dave Carney onboard. Due to the location, steep terrain, and the heavy brush a Sheriff’s rescue helicopter with a rescue hoist was requested. AR306 responded with a crew of Pilot Dave Borgerd, Corporal Mike Ells, Reserve Deputies Wayne Hess and Jim Fagelson, and Rescue Paramedic Bernie Horak.


Paramedic Horak was lowered about 75 feet to the victim in the canyon using the rescue hoist. It took about 15 minutes for Horak to hike and reach the victim due to the heavy brush and steep terrain. Horak evaluated the victim, and she was found to have no injuries but complained of being cold. The victim and her dogs were placed into rescue harnesses and hoisted out of the canyon into the rescue helicopter.


The victim and her dogs were transported by the rescue crew to the Mill Creek Ranger Station. They were later transported back to their vehicle by Deputy Franklin.


At this time of year, hikers visiting the San Bernardino Mountains should be prepared for inclement weather, even when beginning their hike in warm sunny conditions.



Refer: Corporal Mike Ells
Station: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Aviation
Phone No. 909-356-3800
Case No. #YUR 1400841


JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department