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