Full Notification

DATE/TIME: September 2, 2018 / 6:48 p.m.

INCIDENT: Technical Rope Rescue

LOCATION: Big Falls, Forest Falls

SUSPECT(S):

VICTIM(S): 15 year-old male, resident of Fontana


SUMMARY: On Sunday, September 2, 2018, at approximately 6:48 pm, a resident of Forest Falls called 911 reporting they heard someone yelling for help and saw a subject who appeared to be stuck on the Big Falls waterfall. Deputies responded to the call and requested a Sheriff's helicopter respond to assist in locating the subject. The helicopter located the hiker, who was badly injured and unable to get himself out of danger. A Sheriff's air rescue helicopter responded to the incident but, due to the terrain and the position of the hiker, the crew was unable to conduct a hoist rescue.

The Sheriff’s San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team, a unit made up of highly trained volunteers, was called out to conduct the rescue operation. Members of the team, qualified in technical rope rescue, constructed a rope rescue system that allowed them to safely access the hiker, medically stabilize him and lower him several hundred feet down the face of the waterfall. The victim was found to have taken a significant fall causing injuries to his legs, back and head. Once he was off the waterfall, fire department personnel evacuated the victim to a waiting paramedic ambulance, who transported him to Loma Linda University Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of his injuries.

The 15 year old victim was found to have suffered multiple fractures, as well as bruising to the head and back. He was also hyopthermic at the time of his rescue. Although the victim will require surgeries to repair some injuries, the victim is expected to make a full recovery.

Refer: Deputy Franklin

Station: Yucaipa

Phone No. 909-918-2305

Case No. 041800511

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