DATE/TIME: July 10, 2022 / 6:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Mt Baldy
VICTIM(S): Alejandro Cifuentes, 56-year-old male, Resident of Laguna Niguel
SUMMARY: On Sunday, July 10, 2022, at approximately 6:00 p.m., San Bernardino County Fire Department requested assistance in locating an injured hiker. The reporting party was hiking with Alejandro Cifuentes, when Cifuentes fell and sustained a non-life threatening injury, which prevented him from hiking out on his own. The reporting party activated his Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and San Bernardino County Sheriff's patrol helicopter, 40King5, was dispatched to the location. The crew conducted a brief area check and located Cifuentes who was with several other hikers.
Due to the steep terrain and injury, it was determined a hoist rescue would be necessary to safely get Cifuentes off the ridge line. Sheriff's rescue helicopter Air Rescue 307 responded to the location to perform the hoist. The crew were able to get in to position and hoisted a rescue medic to Cifuentes. The medic assessed Cifuentes and determined he needed to be hoisted to the helicopter. He was placed in a rescue harness and hoisted to the helicopter, followed by the medic. Cifuentes was flown to awaiting medics where he received treatment for his injury.
Refer: Corporal C. Mejia
Station: Emergency Operations / Aviation
Phone No. (909) 252-4100
Case No. 032201916
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
