Helicopter 40-King#4 & Crew
Rescued Victims Stranded
in Rushing Water in the Santa Ana River
Monday,
April 6, 2020__ Colton, California
The
Colton Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call at 9:30 P.M.
reporting two friends were stranded and due to rushing water in the Santa Ana
River near Riverside Avenue and were in need of medical attention.
A
Colton Fire Department official requested of San Bernardino County Sheriff,
assistance in locating the victims with by deployment of the Sheriff’s Helicopter
40-King.
Within
minutes the Sheriff’s Helicopter with flight crew aboard, arrived at the river
area. With the use of night vision
goggles, the Sheriff Deputies/Flight Crew began an after-dark search. The crew observed a victim flashing a light in
distress in their direction. The male victim was standing on a small piece of
dry land surrounded by rushing water.
40-King
#4 hovered above the victim and lowered a San Bernardino County Fire Paramedic
to contact him. Once on the ground with the victim, the Medic relayed to the
flight crew that two victims were needing to be hoisted to safety, as well. The
medic placed the victim having a medical emergency into a rescue harness, and hoisted
to the helicopter.
The
crew then landed at a nearby parking lot and transferred the victim to an
awaiting ambulance. The crew returned to the original scene to hoist the second
victim, followed by the medic, and returned to the parking lot where another
ambulance was waiting.
One
victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with
non-life-threatening injuries. The second victim was uninjured and did not
require medical assistance.
THANKS to 1st
Responders!
Colton Fire Department * San Bernardino County Sheriff
San Bernardino County Fire Paramedic
….and of course, 40-King #4
*****
