Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 14, 2022, 4:00 p.m.

INCIDENT: Hoist Rescue

LOCATION: Deep Creek, Lake Arrowhead, Ca.

SUSPECT(S): N/A

VICTIM(S): Laura Ramos, 31-years-old, Resident of Las Vegas
                     Julio Perez, 35-years-old, Resident of Las Vegas
                     8-year-old female, Resident of Las Vegas


SUMMARY: On Thursday, July 14, 2022, Laura Ramos, Julio Perez and their daughter, went hiking to the Deep Creek Hot Springs. During their hike out of the area, Ramos suffered a medical emergency and was not able to hike out on her own. Perez had to hike up to a ridge where he could get cellular service to place a call for help. Perez called 911, which captured his GPS coordinates. Perez requested help, stating Ramos fainted and she could no longer walk.

A search and rescue call was created and a deputy from Twin Peaks Station responded. Due to the coordinates of the 911 call, Sheriff's Rescue Helicopter, Air Rescue 307 (AR307) also responded. The area where the coordinates placed the victims was a narrow steep canyon, not accessible by vehicle. AR307 arrived and after a brief search, located the victims near the GPS coordinates. The crew of AR307 confirmed a hoist rescue would be necessary due to the terrain and remote location. 

A San Bernardino County Fire paramedic was hoisted down to the victims. Once the medic contacted the victims, he requested the second medic and a rescue litter be hoisted down. After the medics secured Ramos into the rescue litter, she was hoisted with the medic up to the helicopter. She was flown to the U.S. Forest Service Rock Camp Fire Station where an ambulance was standing by.

AR307 responded back to the location to pick up the remaining two victims and the medic. The medic was able to hike with the two victims, who were not injured, out of the canyon to a small clearing. AR307 was able to land, pick up the two victims and the medic, then transport them to the Twin Peaks deputy. Ramos was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining two victims were transported to the hospital by the Twin Peaks deputy to be reunited with Ramos. 
      
Air Rescue 307 Crew:
Pilot Corporal Ryan Peppler 
Crew Chief Deputy Tommy Dickey
SBCFD Captain Jay Hausman 
SBCFD Engineer Mike Demoff           

Refer: Ryan Peppler, Corporal 

Station: Emergency Operations Division - Aviation Unit 

Phone No. (909)252-4100

Case No. 052201253

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department