Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Sunday, January 20, 2019 12:45p.m.

INCIDENT: Hoist Rescues

LOCATION: San Bernardino Peak & Mt. Baldy

VICTIM(S): Jerome King, 50 years old, from Redlands
                   Talor James, 28 years old, from La Habra

SUMMARY:
On Sunday, January 20th , at approximately 12:45 p.m. Sheriff’s Aviation was requested for a search and rescue of a male who fell and sustained serious injuries while hiking near San Bernardino Peak. The Sheriff’s valley patrol helicopter 40King5 responded, searched the area and located King in snow and ice at the approximate 9,000 foot level. As a result of the fall, King was unable to walk out of the area on his own. Due to the remote area, steep terrain and the presence of hard packed ice and snow, the crew requested the Sheriff’s rescue helicopter respond for a hoist recue of King. Sheriff’s Air Rescue 306 responded to the scene and lowered rescue personnel trained in ice rescue down to King. King was placed into a rescue litter and hoisted up to the helicopter. While in the helicopter, King was treated by Sheriff’s Air Medics for his injuries and flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for further care.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. Sheriff’s Dispatch received a second call of a subject who fell while hiking and sustained serious injuries in the Mt. Baldy area. The Sheriff’s desert helicopter 40King1 responded and located James in the area commonly called the “Baldy Bowl” at the approximate 8,000 foot level. James was being assisted by several hiking companions, but could not hike out of the area on his own. The Sheriff's rescue helicopter was not available at the time as it was still conducting the previously mentioned search and rescue. The Sheriff's desert helicopter is also equipped with a hoist and decided a hoist rescue would be required. The crew of 40King1 lowered rescue personnel to James, placed him into a rescue harness and transported him to a waiting ambulance for further care.

Refer: Jon Anderson, Corporal

Station: Emergency Operations Division / Aviation Unit

Phone No. (909) 252-4100

Case No. BDC #19-014046 / DR# 031900192

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