www.SMSR.org
Posted 12/15/11 – In the month of November, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue (SMSR) responded to three calls for assistance.
Mountain Biker, Big Santa Anita Canyon: The team was called to a trail in Big Santa Anita Canyon on a report of a mountain biker over the side of the trail. The subject was discovered to have taken a substantial fall and was aided at the scene by SMSR team members, L.A. County Fire Department personnel, and U.S. Forest Service units. Despite marginal weather conditions an L.A. County Fire Department helicopter was able to evacuate the subject and fly them to the hospital.
Missing Hiker, Chantry Flat: SMSR was dispatched to search for a missing hiker believed to be in the Chantry Flat area. SMSR crews worked into the night in poor weather but were unable to locate the subject. The search continued the following day with other local search and rescue teams assisting, but no sign of the subject was found. Shortly before the third day of searching began the subject was located out of the area.
Mine Recovery, Placer County: The all-volunteer L.A. County Sheriff’s Department mine rescue team, including members of Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, was requested by the California Emergency Management Agency to help recover a body from an active gold mine an hour northeast of Sacramento. The mine rescue team was on-scene by daybreak of the following morning, and SMSR team members were first into the mine inspecting air quality and technical hazards. The L.A. County team, assisted by the Nevada County mine rescue team, was able to safely recover the body.
The all-volunteer SMSR team has been serving the local community for 60 years. Funded entirely by private donations, SMSR provides a range of public programs on wilderness safety in addition to its search and rescue activities. The Team never charges for any of its services. For more information, including how to arrange a wilderness safety demonstration for your school or group, visit www.smsr.org.