Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Danielson Monument Trail, Ventura County, Ca.
Date & Time: 11-7-09 / 4:40 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department – Aviation/SAR Unit

(V)ictim: 5 Juveniles City of residence: Ventura County, Ca

On 11-7-09, five juveniles went hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains National Park for the day. They took the Danielson Monument Trail to the top of Boney Mountain. Towards the end of the day they began their hike down the trail to the trailhead. As they descended, the hikers realized they could not make it back before dark. In addition, they were disoriented and not sure they were even hiking on the right trail.

One of the juveniles called her parents and told them the situation. The parents then called the Sheriff's Department for assistance. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department rescue helicopter, Air Squad 8, was given the information and dispatched to the area. While enroute, they called one of the juveniles using a satellite phone in the helicopter. The juvenile directed Air Squad 8 into the area and they were located within a few minutes.

Flight paramedic Lindsey Simpson was hover off-loaded on a nearby rock. She made contact with the juveniles and made sure no one was hurt or injured. She then escorted them back to the rock where they were all hover loaded onto the helicopter and flown to the trailhead where their parents were waiting.

All juveniles were released to their parents without incident.