DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 30, 2020 8:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: Night Vision Goggle Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Slide Peak, Running Springs, Ca.
VICTIM: Amanda Ray, 31 years old, Running Springs, Ca.
SUMMARY:
On Thursday, July 30th, 2020 at approximately 8:00 p.m., Sheriff’s dispatch received a request from Running Springs Fire Department for a hoist rescue. Amanda Ray was hiking along a dam in the area of Slide Peak near a lake and fell approximately 30 feet. Ray received non-life-threatening injuries and was not able to walk and was stuck in steep terrain. Paramedics were able to hike to Ray and determined a hoist rescue would be needed due to the steep rocky terrain.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Helicopter 40-KING-5 responded to the location and evaluated the scene. The crew agreed that a hoist was needed to safely get Ray out of the area. The crew picked up a tactical flight officer deputy to assist in the hoist rescue. The crew returned to the scene and hoisted the deputy along with a rescue litter to the victim. Once on the ground with the victim, the deputy was assisted by the paramedics in securing Ray into the rescue litter. Ray was hoisted to the helicopter and flown to the parking lot of Snow Valley and transferred to Mercy Air and flown to a local hospital. The crew returned and hoisted the deputy back to the helicopter. Due to the time of night and mountainous terrain the crew used night vision goggles to perform the hoist.