Air Rescue 307 conducts hoist rescue of lost/injured hiker; West Valley Search & Rescue Members hiked thru the night
DATE/TIME: Monday, February 11, 2019/6:40 a.m.
INCIDENT: Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: San Antonio Falls, Mount Baldy
VICTIM: Farzin Khalkhali, 60, Pacific Palisades
SUMMARY:
On Sunday, February 10, 2019, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Sheriff’s dispatch received a call reference a lost/injured hiker in the Mount Baldy area. Deputies from the Fontana Station and the Sheriff’s desert patrol helicopter, 40King3, responded to the area. Once 40King3 arrived near the location they had to turn back due to high winds and low visibility from snow and clouds.
Members from the West Valley Search & Rescue Team arrived in the area and began a ground search for the victim. The team hiked through the night during a heavy storm and located the victim suffering from cold related injuries. Due to the location and condition of the victim the team requested a hoist rescue from Air Rescue 307.
On Monday, February 11, 2019, at approximately 6:40 a.m., Air Rescue 307 responded to the location and made communication with the ground team by radio. The victim and team were located at the 6,800-foot elevation and the team was able to move the victim to a small clearing for the hoist rescue. Once overhead, Air Rescue 307 hovered while a medic was lowered 110 feet to the victim. The medic placed the victim into a rescue harness and he was hoisted to the helicopter followed by the medic. The victim was flown to a local area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Refer: Deputy R. Peppler
Station: Emergency Operations Division- Aviation Unit
Case #: FNR1900392
Phone No. (909)252-4100
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Fontana Sheriff's Department
17780 Arrow Blvd
Fontana, CA 92335
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1