Stuck Hikers

Written by Cameron Dickinson

On a Sunday afternoon I received a call from our Call Captain asking whether or not I can respond quickly to a hoist mission to rescue 4 individuals stuck on a steep hill above Tin Canyon Trail in Corona. I was, and within a couple minutes I was out the door on the road heading over to the Skyline Trailhead.

I arrived with two awaiting Deputy’s at the Trailhead. As I was waiting for the Sheriff’s helicopter, I was able to obtain information on the 4 stuck hikers. There were 4 male hikers in their late teens that were traversing the hillside above the Tin Canyon Mine, and found themselves on a steep hillside that they were unable to hike out of. At that point one of the hikers was able to call 911 for help.

Not long after, the Sheriff’s helicopter had arrived and landed in an adjacent field. I met with pilot and TFO, loaded up my backpack with four rescue suits/helmets, and hopped aboard the aircraft. Our pilot knew exactly where our subjects were located, as the circled the area previously. Our subjects were able to safely position themselves between some thick heavy bushes on the upslope of the hill. Once we were overhead, I was lowered down to our subjects. Two individuals were hoisted out, followed by the other two including myself.

The four subjects were safely extracted out, and in good condition. They came prepared with food and water, with temps in the low 70’s.

Four Teen Subjects and Cameron
Photo by Unknown.

Special thanks to our Deputy’s on the ground as well as well as our Sheriff’s Aviation!

RMRU Members Involved: Cameron Dickinson.

Sheriff's Aviation: Chad Marlett (Pilot), Eric Hannum (TFO)