Full Notification

DATE/TIME: February 6, 2016

INCIDENT: S&R Hoist Rescue

LOCATION: Icehouse Canyon, Mt Baldy

VICTIM(S): LIU, TONY, age 47, of Temple City (deceased)
DUAN, LINDA, age 44, of Temple City (injured)

SUMMARY:
On Saturday, February 6, 2016, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Aviation Division responded to Mt. Baldy following the reports of stranded hikers and, hikers that had fallen and sustained fatal and life threatening injuries.

At 3:20 p.m., sheriff's aviation patrol ship, 40KING6, responded to the report of five hikers stranded in the area of Ontario Peak and Icehouse Canyon. The stranded hikers were located by 40KING6 and the air rescue helicopter, AR307, was requested to respond to the location. A hoist rescue was performed by personnel on board the air rescue ship, all 5 hikers were uninjured and did not need medical aid.

At approximnately 5:10 p.m., during the hoist rescue of the five stranded hikers, sheriff's aviation 40KING6 was requested and responded to the report of a husband and wife, Tony Liu and Linda Duan, who were hiking near the Icehouse Canyon Saddle when they both slipped on ice. Sheriff's Helicopter 40KING6, with Pilot Deputy Doug Brimmer and Flight Officer Deputy Paul Kowalski, was already in the area and started searching the canyon. The crew located the hikers, at the 7000' level near the saddle and relayed the information to Sheriff Air Rescue 307. Two good samaritans who were also hiking in the area and heard their requests for help, made their way down the steep terrain to the couple. A text was sent to the Liu and Duan's daughter who in turn called 911. The two good samaritans kept Duan warm while waiting for the resue airship. Sheriff's helicopter, Air Rescue 307, with a crew of Pilot Deputy James Landry, Crew Chief Air Medic Wayne Hess, and Air Medics Steve Miller and Melonie Munns, were in the area conducting the hoist rescue of the five hikers in the area of Ontario Peak and Icehouse Canyon. As soon as that hoist rescue was complete, AR307 flew to Cable Airport for fuel, and, because darkness had fallen, preparee for a night vision goggle hoist. Deputy Paul Kowalski took over the duties as the Crew Chief of AR307. The victims were stuck on an icy slope under a fallen tree. AR307 conducted a night hoist rescue using night vision goggles. Air Medics Miller and Munns were hoisted down to the victims and set up a snow anchor. Duan was hoisted in a Stokes litter, and released to an AMR Ambulance at Cow Canyon Saddle. Mr. Liu sustained fatal injuries as a result of the fall and was pronounced deceased at 8:12 p.m., and released to the Coroner.

After refueling, AR307 hoisted the two good samaritans and they were also transported to Cow Canyon Saddle.

Refer: Dep. P. Kowalski
Station: Aviation
Phone No. 909 252 4100
Case No. FNR1600396
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department