Full Notification

DATE/TIME: August 20, 2020 / 1:56 p.m.

INCIDENT: Search and Rescue

LOCATION: Mount Baldy

SUMMARY:
On Thursday, August 20th at approximately 1:56 p.m., Sheriff's dispatch received an Emergency 911 transfer call from Montclair P.D. According Montclair P.D., they received a distress 911 call from a lost hiker who was somewhere in Mount Baldy. The dispatcher reiterated overhearing children crying in the background. The hiker became disoriented and lost in the mountains of Mount Baldy. Not only was the distraught caller lost, dehydrated and lacking essentials, she was with her 7 and 11-year old children who were also dehydrated.

Deputy Blake Foyil immediately responded to the area and initiated rescue efforts. During the search Deputy Foyil determined there were eight additional family members in the hiking group. The additional hikers whose ages ranged from 7 to 72-years of age, were also separated and determined to be lost during their hike.

The Fontana Sheriff's Station, Sheriff's Aviation and San Bernardino County Fire assisted in the rescue efforts of the 11 lost hikers. Within one hour, the original caller and her two children were located. Within two hours, the remaining eight lost hikers were located and hoisted to safety where they received medical treatment for dehydration and minor abrasions.

The Sheriff's Department West Valley Search and Rescue personnel reminds all hikers in the Mount Baldy area to use extreme vigilance and always bring with them the essentials such as: water, navigation devices, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first-aid supplies, repair kit and multi-tool, nutrition, emergency shelter and signaling and communication devices.

For more information on hiking and wilderness safety tips, visit https://westvalleysar.org/.


Refer: Deputy Blake Foyil

Station: Fontana Sheriff's Station

Phone No. (909) 356-6767

Case No. 032002009

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department