The crew of Air Rescue 306 performs a hoist rescue of an injured skier while utilizing Night Vision Goggles
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 19th, 2019- Approximately 6:00 PM
INCIDENT: NVG Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Telegraph Peak, Mt. Baldy Area
VICTIM(S): 25-Year-Old Cross-Country Skier
CREW: 40King3- Pilot Dep. D. Brimmer
TFO Dep. C. Korkotsakis
AR306- Pilot Dep. J. Roberg
Crew Chief- Cpl. J. Scalise
Crew Member- Firefighter E. Sherwin and Dep. L. Abernathy
SUMMARY:
On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, the crew of 40King3 was dispatched to the area of Mt. Baldy to assist San Bernardino County Fire with the report of a cross-country snow skier who fell and was rendered unconscious. Initially, while trying to locate the skier, the crew of 40King3 experienced high winds and low clouds in the area.
Determined to locate the skier, the crew made a final attempt to access the area, this time approaching from the south side of Mt. Baldy. During a break in the weather, the crew located the skier and called for assistance from Air Rescue 306 (AR306) to perform a hoist rescue of the victim.
AR306 responded to the area and was guided to the location of the victim by 40king3. Once onscene, Firefighter Sherwin was lowered to the victim to assess her injuries. Once stabilized, the victim was placed into a rescue harness, hoisted into AR306, and transported to an awaiting ambulance.
While performing the hoist, the crew of AR306 battled darkness, extremely high winds and the threat of incoming cloud coverage. The hoist was performed while using Night Vision Goggles.
Refer: Cpl. J. Scalise
Station: Emergency Operations Division- Aviation Unit
Case #: 031900799
Phone No. (909)252-4100
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700