Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Lost Hiker

Location: Las Llajas Canyon, Ventura County, CA.

Date & Time: February 11, 2010 7:30 P.M. Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department – Patrol/Aviation/Search & Rescue Victim: Adam Parrish City of residence: Boron, CA Age: 24.

On February 11, 2010, at about 3:30 P.M., Adam Parrish, who is employed as a vehicle repossessor went hiking in Las Llajas Canyon near Simi Valley.

He was looking for a vehicle he believed was hidden in the canyon. He was scheduled to meet a friend at the end of a trail, but had not arrived prior to nightfall.

At about 7:30, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call stating that Parrish was lost in the canyon and he had injured hisankle.
Patrol units arrived and determined that due to the remoteness of the area, it was necessary to utilize the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team and helicopter to locate the victim.

The helicopter and SAR Team were deployed and conducted and exhaustive search of the area. Alternating between the use of the night vision goggles and a “Nite Sun” spotlight, the helicopter crew located Parrish on a trail approximately four miles into the canyon.

Due to Mr. Parrish’s injury he was flown out of the canyon to the command post where AMR paramedics treated him.
It is important to always have the proper supplies with you when going hiking in the backcountry. Although Mr. Parrish did not have water or other supplies for a long hike, he did have his cell phone however, the battery was intermittingly failing.

Mr. Parrish was able to use this phone to initially call for help and again later when he heard the helicopter he used the light from his phone to signal the helicopter. The vehicle he was looking for was not located.
The Search and Rescue Teams are an all-volunteer group. Their members are highly trained experts in rope rescues, wilderness search and rescue and evidence recovery.

They are overseen by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Aviation / SAR Unit and are available twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty five day a year.
Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Paul Richards #2565
Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Frank Underlin 805-388-4212
Date of Release: February 12, 2010
Approved by: Captain Mike De Los Santos #0730