An emergency locator beacon (ELT) triggered a response on the evening of 4-8-07 from the Alpine County Sheriff's Department. A pair of SAR members from Alpine County set out overnight trying to locate source of the beacon. At daybreak, teams from Tahoe SAR, joined by EDSAR, West Slope and H-20 (CHP helicopter) embarked to the search area. One team was inserted by motor vehicles, the remaining three teams (snowshoers and skiers) were delivered by H-20 or a CalStar helicopter.
The H-20 crew found the wreckage about 800am and followed footprints away from the wreckage for 1/2 mile, to where a dropped pack was found. One deceased individual, thought to be the pilot was found in the wreckage, south of Round Lake at 8,000 feet. The SAR was originally tagged as an Alpine County mutual aid, but the crash site was just inside the El Dorado County line, so EDSO took primary command on the search/recovery.
The command post was set up at the Tahoe SAR property in Meyers.
A Huey from the Fallon Naval Air Station joined in (their radio call- Longhorn One). They found the other plane occupant 1.5 miles from the crash site, with serious injuries. The 35 year old female was airlifted to Washoe Medical Center in Reno.
Preliminary reports were that the plane fueled up at Tahoe Airport before 800pm last night. If so the plane was probably airborne for a few short minutes.
After the survivor recovery, plans were underway for EDSO coroner to visit site and with assistance from H-20 and possibly fire personnel, to recover the deceased pilot. The search teams were recalled and extracted by helicopter and motor vehicle.
news items today:
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20070409/BREAKING/70409001
http://www.kcra.com/news/11590477/detail.html
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/151879.html
Monday, April 9, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
OHV 9-18-04
Sep. 18, 2004
A call came in Saturday afternoon to search for a mentally disabled young adult male in the Apple Hill area. The subject went missing from a school in the area. Search teams combed through the surrounding area which includes orchards, vineyards, and a golf course. Despite their efforts they were unable to locate the subject. At approximately 11:00pm the subject was spotted in Placerville at a fast food restaurant. Placerville Police Department was dispatched to the location and arranged for his safe return. Since the subject was not able to communicate effectively it was unclear how the subject was able to travel that distance.
Ron SAR 188
A call came in Saturday afternoon to search for a mentally disabled young adult male in the Apple Hill area. The subject went missing from a school in the area. Search teams combed through the surrounding area which includes orchards, vineyards, and a golf course. Despite their efforts they were unable to locate the subject. At approximately 11:00pm the subject was spotted in Placerville at a fast food restaurant. Placerville Police Department was dispatched to the location and arranged for his safe return. Since the subject was not able to communicate effectively it was unclear how the subject was able to travel that distance.
Ron SAR 188
OHV 1-22-03
Jan. 22, 2003
A Mother and her 13 year old daughter spent a night in the woods when they failed to return from a hike along the Cosumnes River near River Pines. The pair had planned a picnic and a day of hiking along the river, but under estimated the time it would take to return home. The El Dorado and Amador Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to search for them Tuesday evening, but halted the search efforts at nightfall due to dangerous river conditions. Search efforts were resumed at daybreak and included 4x4’s, search dogs, foot and swift water teams and a CHP helicopter with FLIR. Shortly after daybreak the subjects were able to orient themselves and make their way home.
They reported that they had gone further than they had previously ever gone on such hikes and became lost when the sun went down. The two huddled together overnight to overcome rain showers and temperatures in the low 40’s.
Ron SAR 188
A Mother and her 13 year old daughter spent a night in the woods when they failed to return from a hike along the Cosumnes River near River Pines. The pair had planned a picnic and a day of hiking along the river, but under estimated the time it would take to return home. The El Dorado and Amador Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to search for them Tuesday evening, but halted the search efforts at nightfall due to dangerous river conditions. Search efforts were resumed at daybreak and included 4x4’s, search dogs, foot and swift water teams and a CHP helicopter with FLIR. Shortly after daybreak the subjects were able to orient themselves and make their way home.
They reported that they had gone further than they had previously ever gone on such hikes and became lost when the sun went down. The two huddled together overnight to overcome rain showers and temperatures in the low 40’s.
Ron SAR 188
OHV 9-27-04
Sept. 27, 2004
The Sherriff’s Department received a call from the family of seven overdue subjects who were thought to be camping and four wheeling somewhere in the Ice House Lake area. The Sheriff’s office activated the SAR OHV team who was just returning from a SAR at Wright’s Lake (one of three other SARs that weekend). A search of the campgrounds surrounding Ice House Lake was performed but provided no evidence of the missing subjects. Subsequently, OHV team members were dispatched to cover the roads in the Crystal Basin area. As new intelligence came to light it was determined that the subjects may have been on the Wentworth Springs entrance to the Rubicon trail. A team of OHV units was dispatched to that area to investigate. While the units were enroute word came in that the subjects had made their way to the Ice House Resort, where they were recognized by the owners of that establishment. The subjects reported that they had suffered a flat tire while on the Rubicon Trail. Not having a spare tire or a jack, they remained with the vehicle until another four wheel drive vehicle came by and rendered assistance.
Ron SAR 188
The Sherriff’s Department received a call from the family of seven overdue subjects who were thought to be camping and four wheeling somewhere in the Ice House Lake area. The Sheriff’s office activated the SAR OHV team who was just returning from a SAR at Wright’s Lake (one of three other SARs that weekend). A search of the campgrounds surrounding Ice House Lake was performed but provided no evidence of the missing subjects. Subsequently, OHV team members were dispatched to cover the roads in the Crystal Basin area. As new intelligence came to light it was determined that the subjects may have been on the Wentworth Springs entrance to the Rubicon trail. A team of OHV units was dispatched to that area to investigate. While the units were enroute word came in that the subjects had made their way to the Ice House Resort, where they were recognized by the owners of that establishment. The subjects reported that they had suffered a flat tire while on the Rubicon Trail. Not having a spare tire or a jack, they remained with the vehicle until another four wheel drive vehicle came by and rendered assistance.
Ron SAR 188
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Iron Mountain Road
February 2004 (???)
A lone motorist in a full sized SUV parked his vehicle near the intersection of Iron Mountain Road (Mormon Emigrant Trail) and North-South Road. When he returned to the vehicle it would not start. He used his cell phone to call for a tow truck. The tow company dispatched a truck but was unable to reach the subject due to extreme snow conditions.
After waiting over night for the tow truck the subject used his cell phone again and learned that the tow company was not going to be able to reach him. At this point he called his family who in turn called the Sheriff's Department. An OHV team was assembled and dispatched to rescue the subject.
The OHV team was able to traverse the deep snow and reach the subject. A Major storm front was moving in so the OHV team had to quickly load the subject into one of their vehicles and return.
On the team's return the winter storm hit, completely covering the tracks they made on their way in. Despite the adverse weather and near white-out conditions the OHV team was able to reach the subject and return safely.
-SAR 188
A lone motorist in a full sized SUV parked his vehicle near the intersection of Iron Mountain Road (Mormon Emigrant Trail) and North-South Road. When he returned to the vehicle it would not start. He used his cell phone to call for a tow truck. The tow company dispatched a truck but was unable to reach the subject due to extreme snow conditions.
After waiting over night for the tow truck the subject used his cell phone again and learned that the tow company was not going to be able to reach him. At this point he called his family who in turn called the Sheriff's Department. An OHV team was assembled and dispatched to rescue the subject.
The OHV team was able to traverse the deep snow and reach the subject. A Major storm front was moving in so the OHV team had to quickly load the subject into one of their vehicles and return.
On the team's return the winter storm hit, completely covering the tracks they made on their way in. Despite the adverse weather and near white-out conditions the OHV team was able to reach the subject and return safely.
-SAR 188
Family Mired in Mud
April 1, 2007
A Family of 5, including both parents, two girls ages 7 and 6, and a 9 month old boy, were driving on Forest Service Road 11N80 when their minivan became stuck in a deep mud hole. While attempting to extricate the vehicle a group of Quad riders happened upon them. The quad riders informed the family that they would place a call for help once they could attain a signal on their cell phone.
Once the Quad riders reached their base camp they placed the call and emergency services were activated. The patrol deputy arrived at the base camp, interviewed the reporting party and convinced them to stay on scene to guide the rescue vehicles to the stranded subjects.
Three vehicles from the SAR OHV team were dispatched to the location to provide transport for the subjects. While the OHV team was in route a CHP helicopter made contact with the subjects and notified them to stay put and that help was on the way. The helicopter crew then radioed the GPS coordinates to the Sheriff’s Department dispatch. Due to the dense vegetation in the area the helicopter was unable to land.
The 3 OHV rigs arrived at the end of Forebay Road and met up with the Quad riders who guided them to the subjects. When the OHV team reached the subjects they noted that the minivan was mired down to the frame in the mud bog. The subjects were loaded into the OHV rigs and transported to their home in Camino.
-SAR188
A Family of 5, including both parents, two girls ages 7 and 6, and a 9 month old boy, were driving on Forest Service Road 11N80 when their minivan became stuck in a deep mud hole. While attempting to extricate the vehicle a group of Quad riders happened upon them. The quad riders informed the family that they would place a call for help once they could attain a signal on their cell phone.
Once the Quad riders reached their base camp they placed the call and emergency services were activated. The patrol deputy arrived at the base camp, interviewed the reporting party and convinced them to stay on scene to guide the rescue vehicles to the stranded subjects.
Three vehicles from the SAR OHV team were dispatched to the location to provide transport for the subjects. While the OHV team was in route a CHP helicopter made contact with the subjects and notified them to stay put and that help was on the way. The helicopter crew then radioed the GPS coordinates to the Sheriff’s Department dispatch. Due to the dense vegetation in the area the helicopter was unable to land.
The 3 OHV rigs arrived at the end of Forebay Road and met up with the Quad riders who guided them to the subjects. When the OHV team reached the subjects they noted that the minivan was mired down to the frame in the mud bog. The subjects were loaded into the OHV rigs and transported to their home in Camino.
-SAR188
