Altadena Sheriff’s Station received information from Los Angeles Police Department personnel about a lone hiker stranded on a ledge in the Chaney Trail-Mount Lowe area of the Angeles National Forest. The hiker slipped off of a freshly-cut trail and fell 100 feet down the side of a cliff face, injuring his right leg during the descent. He landed in a dangerously precarious position and was unable to maneuver out of it. His cell phone only had intermittent coverage, but he was able to dial 911 and relayed his location to LAPD personnel.
(Pictured: rescuer and hiker being airlifted into Sheriff Air 5 copter)
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel from the Altadena and Montrose Search and Rescue Teams, the Special Enforcement Bureau/Emergency Services Detail, and Aero Bureau responded to the area and searched for the injured hiker. Approximately two hours later, the hiker used his cell phone to tell police he could see a Sheriff’s helicopter in the area above him. Personnel in the Air 8 helicopter located him on a rugged cliff area in Eaton Canyon; the Air Rescue 5 helicopter lowered a Sheriff’s Department paramedic to triage the hiker.
During triage, the paramedic discovered the hiker had fashioned an improvised splinting-device out of a hammer and boot laces, to secure his injured leg. The hiker was hoisted into the Air Rescue 5 helicopter, treated for his leg injury and abrasions, and airlifted to a local hospital for further treatment.
Sheriff Lt. Jack W. Ewell sent us the following press release and pictures from yesterday’s rescue:
(Pictured: rescuer and hiker being airlifted into Sheriff Air 5 copter)
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel from the Altadena and Montrose Search and Rescue Teams, the Special Enforcement Bureau/Emergency Services Detail, and Aero Bureau responded to the area and searched for the injured hiker. Approximately two hours later, the hiker used his cell phone to tell police he could see a Sheriff’s helicopter in the area above him. Personnel in the Air 8 helicopter located him on a rugged cliff area in Eaton Canyon; the Air Rescue 5 helicopter lowered a Sheriff’s Department paramedic to triage the hiker.
During triage, the paramedic discovered the hiker had fashioned an improvised splinting-device out of a hammer and boot laces, to secure his injured leg. The hiker was hoisted into the Air Rescue 5 helicopter, treated for his leg injury and abrasions, and airlifted to a local hospital for further treatment.