Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Sunday, November 20, 2022, 12:00 p.m.

INCIDENT: Technical Hoist Rescue

LOCATION: Telegraph Peak, Mt. Baldy 

VICTIM(S): 52-year-old male from Highland, California
68-year-old male from Los Angeles, California.  

SUMMARY: On Sunday, November 20, 2022, Fontana Sheriff's Station requested the assistance of Sheriff's Aviation in reference to locating an injured hiker in Mt. Baldy. It was reported that two hikers were hiking near Telegraph Peak when one of the hikers slid on ice from a trail, 50 yards down. He impacted a rock and a tree below the hiking trail and sustained injuries, leaving him unable to move or climb back up the mountainside. Sheriff's helicopter, 40 King 2, responded and located both subjects on a steep, ice covered hillside. Due to the condition and location of the hikers, a hoist rescue was necessary. 

Sheriff's Air Rescue 6 immediately responded and conducted a hoist rescue. A Sheriff's Air Medic was hoisted down to both hikers. Due to icing conditions, the Air Medic utilized both an ice axe and crampons to reach both hikers. The medic placed both hikers into rescue harnesses and they were hoisted up to the helicopter and flown to the San Antonio Dam to waiting fire and medical personnel. Due to his injuries, one of the hikers was transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response.   

Both hikers were wearing appropriate clothing for the cold weather and utilized a portable Garmin GPS for reporting their emergency. Although both hikers were hiking in micro spikes, it is highly recommended to wear crampons while hiking in icing conditions. Note that crampons should only be worn on icy terrain and not on trails covered with soft and deep snow. For such conditions, snowshoes are a better option. 


40 King Crew:  Pilot, Corporal Paul Kowalski
                         Tactical Flight Officer, Deputy Jonathan Holt

Air Rescue 6 Crew:  Pilot, Deputy Doug Brimmer
                                 Crew Chief, Deputy Greg Hanrahan
                                  Air Medic, RN Tom Gallant
                                  Air Medic, AEMT Gordon Yee


Refer: Deputy Doug Brimmer

Division: Emergency Operations Division/Aviation Unit

Phone No. 909-252-4100

Case No. DR#032203263

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