Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Tejon Trail, Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County, Ca.

Date & Time: 5-18-08 / 12:50 p.m.

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department / Aviation-SAR Unit

On 5-18-08, (V) John Anderson was riding his motorcycle in the Los Padres National Forest on the Tejon Trail. He was racing in an event, which began in the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. During the race he crashed on his motorcycle and as a result of the crash, was injured and unable to continue his ride. Due to the remote location the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department sent Air Squad 9 to locate and rescue John.

Air Squad 9 arrived in the area and after a short search located the victim on a narrow portion of the Tejon Trail at which time the paramedic was lowered by hoist to John. The paramedic assessed his injuries and then fitted him with a harness for hoisting. John and the paramedic were subsequently hoisted back into the helicopter and flown to a nearby campground in Hungry Valley. Air Squad 9 landed and transferred John to an American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance for transport to a local hospital.