DATE/TIME: April 30, 2022, at approximately 6:34 pm
INCIDENT: Search and Rescue Operation
LOCATION: Big Falls Trailhead, Forest Falls, California
VICTIM: Robert Carey Jr, 33-year-old resident of Calimesa
SUMMARY: On the evening of Saturday, April 30, 2022, Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call reporting Robert Carey Jr. had not returned from a hike from San Gorgonio Peak. The family said Carey was an experienced hiker but had not previously hiked the peak. Soon after, dispatchers received additional calls from witnesses reporting an unknown subjecting yelling for help in the Forest Falls area.
San Bernardino County Fire Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department personnel deployed to Forest Falls to conduct a search. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation helicopter was requested to the scene and located an unresponsive male subject at the base of the Big Falls Waterfall. The subject was later positively identified as Robert Carey Jr.
During the hours of darkness, a helicopter crew member was hoisted down to the base of falls to render Carey air. Tragically, rescuers determined Carey had succumbed to his injuries. Investigators estimated Carey dropped approximately 80 feet. Due to the danger and complexity of the recovery operation, emergency personnel postponed the recovery until daylight hours.
On Sunday, May 1, 2022, members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team were hoisted down by helicopter and successfully recovered Carey’s remains. San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division responded and positively identified Carey.
The Carey family expressed their extreme gratitude with the heroic efforts displayed by all involved emergency personnel.
Refer: Deputy Gene Juarez
Station: Yucaipa Station
Phone No. (909) 918-2305
Case No. 042200295
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
