Associated Press
MOUNT BALDY, Calif. — Officials say a woman is recovering after a harrowing rescue caught on tape when she slid down a snow-covered ridge while hiking in Southern California.
It happened Monday afternoon as 34-year-old Jennifer Fujita and her brother were hiking down the Devil’s Backbone Trail near the Mount Baldy summit.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says Fujita lost her footing and slid about 50 feet down the snow-packed ridge. They say she was able to use her ice ax to stop herself from falling further.
Rescuers in a helicopter were able to reach Fujita and a fire captain, lowered 130 feet, hooked Fujita to a rescue harness.
The captain told Fujita to “hug me as tight as you can” before the two were safely lifted back into the helicopter.
#SBCSD Aviation and San Bernardino County Fire perform a high-risk hoist rescue in the Devils Backbone DATE/TIME: Monday, January 16th, 2017/3:35pm INCIDENT: Hoist Rescue LOCATION: Devils Backbone, Mount Baldy VICTIM: Jennifer Fujita, 34 years old, a resident of Irvine SUSPECT: None SUMMARY: On January 16th, the victim, and her brother were hiking down the Devil’s Backbone Trail near the Mount Baldy Summit at the 9200’ level. While hiking down, she lost her footing and slid down the snow covered ridge approximately 50 feet. The victim managed to use her ice ax to prevent her from falling further down the steep rocky ridge. The victim’s brother immediately called 911 and requested assistance. Sheriff’s patrol helicopter 40King4 (Pilot Deputy Jon Roberg and Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Carlos Quezada) was dispatched to the location to attempt to locate the victim. Due to the circumstances and elevation, the crew of 40King4 requested the assistance of Air Rescue 307, which was staffed with Sheriff and Fire personnel, to also respond and conduct a hoist rescue. The victim’s brother provided vital information including their GPS location and clothing descriptions. The crew of 40King4 located the victim and her brother and relayed that information to Air Rescue 307. The victim was located on a steep snow packed ridge. Sheriff’s Air Rescue 307 responded to that location and began assessing the situation. It was determined the victim was in a high-risk area, which would require a technical pick off hoist rescue. Pilot Corporal Mike Gilley hovered over the victim while battling high winds with gusts up to 45 mph. Crew Chief Deputy Ed Leon lowered Fire Captain Eric Spies down on the hoist to the victim 130 feet. Spies contacted the victim while remaining on the hook, and immediately disconnected her backpack, which fell hundreds of feet down the rocky slope. Spies placed the victim into a “Hasty Rescue Harness” and secured the victim to himself on the hook. Deputy Leon hoisted both Spies and the victim together up to and inside the aircraft. The victim was then flown to Cow Canyon Saddle and released to awaiting medical personnel. Refer: Deputy E. Leon Station: Aviation Unit Phone No. (909) 252-4100 Case No. FN170160051 John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Posted by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday, January 17, 2017