DATE/TIME: March 15, 2022
INCIDENT: Search & Rescue
LOCATION: San Gorgonio Wilderness
SUSPECT(S): N.A.
VICTIM(S): David Nguyen, age 57, resident of Orange County
SUMMARY: David Nguyen set out to summit San Gorgonio Mountain on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Communication with friends and family stopped late Saturday evening and he was reported overdue the following morning,
On Sunday, March 13, 2022, deputies located his vehicle parked at the South Fork Trailhead parking lot and requested assistance from Sheriff's Aviation. Due to high winds, they were unable to remain on scene and the San Gorgonio Search & Rescue team was activated to begin search efforts. Ground search teams were immediately deployed into the field to search for Nguyen.
Due to the mountain's alpine snow and ice conditions, a department-wide request for qualified search and rescue personnel was made. Members from Big Bear S&R, San Bernardino Mountain S&R, West Valley S&R, Victor Valley S&R, Wrightwood S&R, the Sheriff's Cave & Technical Rescue Team and the SBSD Search Dog Team responded to assist the San Gorgonio Search & Rescue team with the search.
The search continued into Monday in cold, windy, treacherous terrain, including deep snowdrifts. On March 14, the strong winds had subsided, and a Sheriff's Aviation helicopter was able to fly over the mountain to search and insert S&R members onto the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain.
Nguyen was able to make it back to his car in the trailhead parking lot late Monday afternoon. He related he fell twice on a steep slope and had to use his ice axe to stop his falls. When Nguyen made it off the steep slope, he found shelter from the high winds next to a tree. On Monday morning, the wind stopped, and he used his map to navigate back to the trailhead.
Refer: Deputy C. Cordoba
Station: Yucaipa Station
Phone No. 909-918-2305
Case No. 042200186
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
