San Bernardino County
Sheriff
Aviation Units
Five Separate Rescues
San Bernardino County Sheriff Aviation
40 King
#5 Deadman Hills
Joint Efforts by Aviation
Crews
Hoist Airlift Injured Man
December 28, 2021, Victor Valley Station San Bernardino County
Sheriff Deputies received a request for assistance of a male suffering from
fall injuries in the Deadman Hills, which is located in the mountain range
behind Horseman's Center. Sherriff Deputies responded to the location. The Deputies
climbed the treacherous rocks in order to make contact with victim, Robert Estela, 33-year-old
resident of Apple Valley, California.
Medic Corporal Eric Rose Rios provided his
jacket to keep Estela warm and prevent shock. Estela was suffering from a
compound fracture to his ankle/lower leg. 40King2 responded from the Apple
Valley airport to assist the rescue. Due to the location where the victim was
in the rocks, 40-King 2 Air Rescue Crew determined a night vision goggle
hoist rescue was required. 40-King Air Rescue 2 Crew and 40-King Air
Rescue 5 Crew combined their efforts crews in order to complete the
mission.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Aviation Pilot Deputy Doug
Brimmer maneuvered the
helicopter into position for a safe hoist. Aviation Deputy Cody Korkotsakis was
lowered down by Aviation Hoist Operator Deputies Tommy Dickey to Rios and
Estela.
Korkotsakis placed Estela into a hoist hot seat and
Estela was hoisted into 40-King
2. Estela was
transported by air to awaiting medical aid on the ground. 40-King 2 40-King 2 returned to hoist Rios and Korkotsakis out of
the rocky terrain. Estela was transported by American Medical Response to a local hospital for medical treat
#4 Mount Baldy
2 Friends Went Hiking &
1 Fell 150 Feet Required Medical Assistance
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, Matthew Jaurequi, 38-years-old, a resident
of Downey, California went hiking with
a friend along the Ice House Canyon Saddle, when they encountered a thick patch
of ice. Jaurequi lost his footing and began to slide. Jaurequi's friend
attempted to grab Jaurequi and they both slid approximately 150 feet down the
mountain. Jaurequi sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Jaurequi and his friend used a cellular telephone to call 911.
The San Bernardino
County Sheriff Deputies
and San Bernardino County Fire Rescue and Medical personnel were
notified and sent resources to assist in the rescue mission. Due to the remote
location and terrain, 40-King 5 responded and located Jaurequi and his friend
at approximately 7600 feet above sea level. It was determined a hoist rescue
would be needed.
The SB County Sheriff
Aviation Crew 2 responded to conduct the hoist rescue. SB County Sheriff Aviation 40-King 2 Medic Corporal Eric Rose was lowered down to the hikers. Medic Rose
secured himself to a tree and placed a rescue harness on Jaurequi. Then Jaurequi was carefully hoisted up to
40-King 2 and transported to a nearby dam where an ambulance with
medical personnel were awaiting. Jaurequi was transported by American
Medical Response ambulance to a nearby hospital. Jaurequi's friend was able
to hike back up to the trail and was determined to continue hiking.
#3 Ice House Saddle
Sheriff Aviation Rescues Hiker
After He Slid on Ice
Sunday, December 19, 2021, the Fontana Station San Bernardino County Sheriff
Deputies were dispatched to a report of a fallen hiker in the Ice House
Saddle area. The hiker, identified as Jeaffreson Guevara, age 45, of Los
Angeles, California, was hiking with his wife when he slipped on ice and slid
down the steep mountain approximately 300 yards. He came to rest on bushes in
the ice chute but was unable to hike back up to the trail. Due to the remote
location and time it would take ground crews to reach the fallen hiker, Fontana
Station Sheriff Deputies requested assistance from the SB County Sheriff
Aviation Crew Unit to help search and rescue Jeaffreson.
The 40-King Air Rescue 306 Crew responded and
conducted an extensive search of the area. The Crew located Jeaffreson clinging
on to bushes on a steep ice chute and requested assistance from the crew of Air
Rescue 306 to rescue Jeaffreson.
40-King Air Rescue 306 responded to the scene and coordinated with the crew to execute
the rescue. An Air Rescue Medic trained in technical rescue was hoisted
down to Jeaffreson approximately 120-feet. Once on the ground, the rescuer set
up an anchor system and began the process of securing the fall victim in a
harness to be hoisted out. Jeaffreson, followed by the rescuer, were hoisted
back to the helicopter. Jeaffreson was dropped off with awaiting Fontana
Station deputies and medical personnel for evaluation.
#2 Mount Baldy
A Hiker Slid 100 feet
Down a Mountainside
Saturday, December 18, 2021, the Fontana Station San Bernardino
County Sheriff Deputies
received multiple search and rescue requests in the Mt. Baldy mountain areas.
One of the requests was a report of a male hiker who slid on ice and snow, down
the mountainside, approximately 100 feet. The hiker, identified as Patrick Murphy,
27-years-old, of Los Angeles,
suffered minor cuts and was unable to climb back up to the trail despite having
ice gear with him. Patrick feared he would slide further down the mountain and
requested immediate assistance.
Fontana deputies requested the assistance from San
Bernardino County Sheriff Aviation Unit to locate and rescue the hiker. The
Sheriff patrol helicopter 40-King-3 responded to the area and began searching
for Patrick. The patrol crew located him by using his GPS coordinates; provided
by his cellular phone call to 9-1-1.
The 40-King Air Rescue 306 Crew requested to assist
with the rescue hoist. The crew of Air Rescue 306 arrived at the scene shortly
after. The SB County Patrol Crew guided Air Rescue 306 to
Patrick's location. Air Medic Tom Gallant was lowered via hoist about
145' down to Patrick. Gallant tried to anchor into the snow but was unable to,
due to the hardpacked ice.
After Gallant placed Patrick in a rescue harness, both were
hoisted up to the helicopter. The crew transported Patrick to San Antonio Dam
where San Bernardino County Sheriff Aviation Unit Fontana Deputy Thompson
drove him back to his vehicle without further incident.
#1 Cucamonga Wilderness
Technical Hoist rescues Man clinging
to a tree
Thursday, December 16, 2021, Fontana
Station San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputies received a report of a male hiker who fell down
an ice chute while hiking in the Cucamonga Wilderness. The hiker, identified as
Nicholas Ardoin, 32,
of Encinitas, California suffered injuries
from the fall and was unable to move. A tree stopped his fall but was able to hold
on to it until helped arrived. Fontana Sheriff Deputies requested assistance
from the San Bernardino County Sheriff Aviation Unit to help locate the
male and rescue him due to his remote and treacherous location.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff Aviation Crew responded
to the area and began searching for Nicholas. Due to poor cellular phone
reception, information was limited, and the crew had a difficult time locating
him. After an extensive search, the crew located Nicholas holding on to a tree.
The crew of 40-King-3 requested assistance from Air Rescue 307 to assist
with the technical hoist.
The 40-King Air Rescue 307 Crew arrived at the scene
and coordinated with the crew of 40-King-3 to affect a rescue. Air Medic Tom
Gallant was lowered via hoist about 175' down to a location near Nicholas. The
ground was icy, hard packed and the rescuer had to set up anchors to proceed with
the rescue operation. Once secured, the rescuer and hoist operator worked
together to get Nicholas out from underneath the trees and hoisted him to the
helicopter, all while the pilot kept the helicopter in a hover for an extended
amount of time. Air Medic Melanie Munns rendered medical aid to Nicholas while
Air Medic Gallant was hoisted to the helicopter. The crew then transported
Nicholas to Loma Linda University Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
*****
San Bernardino County
Sheriff Aviation Unit sends
a friendly reminder during this Winter season for safe
hiking/mountaineering:
1) Research your
intended hike route for level of difficulty- choose the right hike that is best
for you.
2) Never hike alone or split from your group; and know where you're going (tell
someone where you will be hiking).3) Always plan for inclement weather
(rain, snow, freezing temperatures, etc.).
4) Pack essential emergency gear (phone, clothing, flashlight w/extra
batteries, whistle, lighter, first aid, pocket-knife, etc.)
5.) Hydration - Proper hydration is essential!
*****
SHANNON D. DICUS,
Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd Street
San Bernardino, CA 92408