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Rescue of Fallen, Stranded Hikers
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, June 27th, 2011
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On June 22nd, 2011, at approximately 10:00 PM the Ventura City Fire Department and the Ventura Sheriff’s Office were notified of two stranded hikers who were lost in the fog and clinging to a near vertical embankment in the hills north of Ventura. One of the individuals, who lived in the area and had explored the hills extensively, decided to take his visiting cousin from Illinois on a local hike to show him the California countryside. The parties began hiking around 6:30 PM in the hills and became separated when one of them fell down an embankment in the dark and disappeared from view. While the two could converse, they realized both were in a precarious position and decided to remain in place and call 911. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter was requested but due to the dense fog was unable to respond. While the Ventura City Fire Department personnel began searching for access to the area members from the Sheriff’s volunteer Upper Ojai Search and Rescue team were requested. Upon arrival the Search and Rescue team was able to direct one of the victims to email his position from his I-phone to the rescuers I-pad giving an almost exact location of the missing parties. While this technology was extremely useful the team still had to rely on putting their boots on the ground and hiking in the old fashion way. The Search and Rescue members were faced with a multitude of obstacles that included steep terrain, with dense brush growth from the recent higher than normal rainfall, and thick fog, which limited visibility to 30 feet at times. While fighting through brush in the fog, the rescuers were faced with steep drop offs into the canyon. After searching for 2 1/2 hours rescuers were finally able to make contact with the stranded hikers and returned them to their awaiting parents. Location: Foothills north of the city of Ventura, CA |
