Volunteers from San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s West Valley Search and Rescue braved freezing temperatures and icy conditions to rescue two stranded hikers on California’s Mt. Baldy.
According to a news release from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, Fontana Station deputies were notified of the stranded hikers at about 5:01pm on Sunday, March 2. A 22-year-old male and a 33-year-old male were hiking from the Lytle Creek area towards Cucamonga Peak when one of them suffered a fall down the side of the mountain.
The second hiker, in attempting to rescue the fall victim, wound up stranded as well. Fortunately they were able to call 911 for help.
Volunteers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s West Valley Search and Rescue spent the night hiking towards the hikers, making several attempts to reach them despite the freezing temperatures and icy conditions.
Once conditions allowed, Search and Rescue personnel worked with When weather conditions allowed, Search and Rescue personnel coordinated with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s and Los Angeles County Fire Aviation units to supply a hoist rescue. Both hikers had suffered serious weather and fall related injuries and were airlifted to a trauma center for evaluation and treatment.
“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind the public to please bring appropriate supplies when hiking, avoid hiking during inclement weather conditions, carry a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, and only hike on open trails. For further safety related information, please visit https://westvalleysar.org/wilderness-safety/.” – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
