Full Notification

DATE/TIME: August 22, 2019 / 5:25pm
 
INCIDENT: Hoist Rescue
 
LOCATION: Devil's Backbone, Mt. Baldy CA
 
VICTIM(S): Juan Delgado, 20 years old, resident of Wilmington, CA
                     Alejandra Vargas, 21 years old, resident of Long Beach, CA
 
SUMMARY:
On Thursday, August 22, 2019, Juan Delgado and Alejandra Vargas went hiking in the Mt Baldy area. As the two hikers were traversing the narrow trail known as “The Devil's Backbone”, they decided to climb down the steep cliffside and became stuck. The couple called 911 and Sheriff’s patrol helicopter 40K4 responded to the area.
 
40K4 quickly located the two hikers sitting on a narrow ledge of a steep cliffside approximately 150 feet down from the Devil's Backbone Trail. The hikers appeared uninjured, but they were unable to climb back to the trail. Sheriff’s rescue helicopter Air Rescue 306 responded to the area to conduct a hoist rescue.
 
The combined Sheriff and County Fire crew of Air Rescue 306 conducted a “Pick-Off” hoist rescue to save the two hikers. Despite high winds, hot temperature and hazardous terrain, AR306 safely pulled the hikers from their ledge and into the helicopter. Delgado and Vargas were then transported to an awaiting ground deputy.
 
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department would like to remind the public about the dangers of hiking in hazardous conditions such as steep, rugged, mountainous terrain. Without the proper training and equipment, this type of activity can lead to serious injury or death.
 
 
Refer:           Deputy P. Kowalski
 
Station:         Aviation
 
Phone No.    (909)252-4100
 
Case No.      FN192340068
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department