Two hikers called for help and required a hoist rescue from Bonita Falls in Lytle Creek
DATE/TIME: Saturday, February 8, 2020 6:15 p.m.
INCIDENT: Search and Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Bonita Falls, Lytle Creek
VICTIM(S): Benjamin Fialkov, 34 years old, resident of Palm Springs
Candace Galusha, 31 years old, resident of Palm Desert
SUMMARY:
On Saturday, February 8, 2020, Benjamin Fialkov and Candace Galusha went on a hike to Bonita Falls in Lytle Creek. During their hike up to the water falls, they ascended to a ledge above the falls and were unable to safely traverse the unstable terrain at night. Fialkov and Galusha feared they would fall from the ledge if they attempted to hike down. Fialkov called 911 on his cellular device and requested assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received the 911 call and dispatched personnel from Fontana Station and the Aviation Unit. San Bernardino County Sheriff's patrol helicopter 40 King 3 responded to the area and immediately located Fialkov and Galusha at the reported GPS coordinates. The flight crew determined Fialkov and Galusha had hiked up to an area surrounded by loose rock above and an approximate 1,000-foot drop from the ledge below. Fialkov and Galusha were also unequipped with warm clothing with temperatures dropping to near freezing overnight. The flight crew determined a hoist was needed to safely rescue them from the area.
The rescue operation was conducted during night time hours and required the crew to utilize night vision equipment. A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department volunteer flight medic was lowered 70 feet down from the helicopter to the ground. The medic assessed Fialkov and Galusha and secured them into rescue harnesses. Fialkov and Galusha were hoisted separately into the helicopter and were flown to a designated landing zone nearby.
40 King 3 Flight Crew:
Pilot: Deputy Doug Brimmer
TFO: Deputy Dave Negron
Medic: Reserve Deputy Steve Miller
Refer: Corporal E. Leon
Station: Emergency Operations Division, Aviation Unit
Phone No. 909 252-4100
Case No. 032000326
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700