Full Notification

DATE/TIME: January 6, 2018 / 1530 hours 
 
INCIDENT:   Helicopter Hoist Rescue
 
LOCATION:   Vivian Creek Trail / Forest Falls, San Bernardino, California
 
VICTIM:          Bethany Sloan, 32 years old, Redlands
 
SUMMARY:  On Saturday, January 6, 2018, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Bethany Sloan and a friend went on a day hike up Vivian Creek Trail and attempted to reach the San Gorgonio Summit. Sometime during the hike, Sloan’s friend became tired and turned back. Sloan continued to hike and reached the summit around 1:00 p.m.. When Sloan reached the summit and prepared to descend, a weather system set in which caused her to become disorientated. Sloan continued her descent and lost her way on the trail.
 
At approximately 3:00 p.m., Sloan realized she was lost and activated her personal alert system (PAS). The PAS notified family members she was lost and needed assistance. Sloan’s family notified law enforcement and Deputy Franklin responded to the area. Franklin assessed the situation and immediately requested Yucaipa Search and Rescue personnel and Sheriff’s Aviation.
Franklin coordinated the search for Sloan using SAR personnel and Sheriff’s Aviation. SAR personnel searched the main trails and Sheriff’s 40K6, piloted by Deputy Conner and Tactical Flight Officer Quezada, searched the area with Forward Looking Infrared (Flir) and Night Vision Goggles. During the aerial search the weather system worsened and prevented Sheriff’s Aviation from continuing the search. SAR members hiked throughout the night and into the morning without success.
 
On Sunday, January 7, 2018, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Franklin requested Sheriff’s Aviation respond back to the area and begin a search at first light. 40K5, piloted by Deputy Peppler and Tactical Flight Officer B. Heard, responded to the area and continued the search of numerous mountain trails. At approximately 0800 hours, Sheriff’s AR306 was requested to respond to the location and insert SAR members to various locations. SAR members had a general location and requested 40K5 to search near the top of the waterfall. 40K5 located Sloan at the top of the waterfall and requested AR306 respond for a hoist rescue.
 
AR306, piloted by Sergeant Gilley, Crew Chief Miller, Deputies Hoag and Yee, responded to the top of the waterfalls. Gilley position AR306 approximately 70’ above Sloan. Crew Chief Miller lowered Yee to Sloan who was on a small ledge overlooking the falls. Yee placed Sloan into a rescue harness and Miller hoisted both Yee and Sloan about 70’ to AR306. Sloan was flown in AR306 to the logging platform where she was released to Franklin. Sloan was not injured during the hike or rescue. No personnel injured. No equipment lost/ damaged.
 
Refer:    Deputy Robert Hoag                             
Station:  San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation      
Phone No.  909-252-4100             
 
Case No.   #041800013
    
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department