One killed, four injured in hiking accident near Islip Saddle in the Angeles National Forest

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Brian Day

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> A weekend excursion turned tragic Saturday when five people hiking in the Angeles National Forest north of the San Gabriel Valley fell down an ice chute, killing one and injuring four, authorities said.
The incident was first reported about 11:10 a.m. near Islip Saddle, along Angeles Crest Highway, just west of San Gabriel Canyon Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Thomas Reid said.
Ventura County search and rescue officials, who happened to be training nearby, were the first to respond to help. They were soon joined by their counterparts from Los Angeles County sheriff’s and fire departments in the rescue effort.
The response was hindered by a landslide on San Gabriel Canyon Road, requiring officials to circumvent it and access the scene via Angeles Crest Highway.
One of the hikers was pronounced dead at the scene, Reid said.
Three of the hikers were flown to hospitals for treatment in unknown condition, while anther suffered minor or no injuries, Reid said.
The four surviving victims were described as three men and a woman in their 60s, Reid said. A description of the victim who died was not immediately available.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Woman hurt in fall while hiking near Eaton Canyon Falls

Posted on January 14, 2017 by Brian Day

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> Rescuers rushed a woman to a trauma center with “significant injuries” after she fell about 30 feet while hiking near the Eaton Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest north of Pasadena, authorities said.
The incident was first reported about 3:30 p.m. at the first of the two waterfalls at the canyon, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
The woman, who was estimated to be in her 30s, suffered “significant injuries,” though the injures were not initially believed to be life-threatening.
The water near the falls was knee deep and flowing quickly as a result of the recent storms, Derderian said.
The area where the mishap occurred is off-limits for recreation, she added.
Derderian encouraged forest-goers to stay out of restricted areas and use extra caution due to the recent rainfall.

Video courtesy of the Pasadena Fire Department

UPDATED: Deputies rescue elderly couple from burning home in North San Gabriel

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Brian Day

NORTH SAN GABRIEL >> Two sheriff’s deputies rescued an elderly couple from their burning home in the unincorporated county area of North San Gabriel over the weekend, authorities said.
Both deputies and the two elderly residents of the home were treated for smoke inhalation following the incident, which unfolded about 2 p.m. on Saturday at a home in the 8800 block of Broadway, just west of Rosemead Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Ruiz said.
Deputy Jaqueline Morales and Deputy Orlando “Chuey” Macias were on patrol when they happened to come across a house with smoke emanating from within, the lietenant said.
The deputies immediately went into the home to search for anyone who might be inside, Ruiz said. The move proved potentially life-saving.
As the deputies crawled through the home, beneath the smoke, they encountered an 89-year-old woman with a walker inside, as well as her 87-year-old husband, Ruiz said. Deputies Morales and Macias managed to get the seemingly disoriented residents out of the home.
Both deputies and both resident were taken to hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation, officials said. The deputies were treated and promptly released. An update on the conditions of the elderly couple was not available Sunday, however their injuries were not initially believed to be life-threatening.
It was determined the blaze ignited as a grease fire in the kitchen, which spread into the wall, Ruiz said. The fire caused an estimated $10,000 worth of damage to the home.
Sheriff’s officials commended the deputies in a written statement.
“The quick actions of Deputy Morales and Deputy Macias, while placing themselves in harms way, undoubtedly saved the lives of this couple,” according to the statement. “ The deputies’ heroism is a reflection of their dedication to the communities served by Temple Station, and the representation of the core values of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to the highest degree.”

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

CHP chase turns into rescue after fiery crash in Baldwin Park

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Brian Day

BALDWIN PARK >> A California Highway Patrol pursuit instantly turned into a rescue operation Wednesday after a fleeing stolen SUV with three people inside crashed and burst into flames in Baldwin Park, authorities said.
All three occupants of the car suffered significant injuries but were expected to survive following the crash, which took place shortly after 2:20 p.m. at Garvey Avenue and Big Dalton Avenue, CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said.
Officers were chasing a stolen Toyota RAV4 when it crashed and burst into flames, he said. The same officers then pulled the driver and two passengers from the burning wreckage.
Officers were chasing a stolen Toyota RAV4 when it crashed and burst into flames,” he said.
“What these guys did was heroic,” Jimenez said.
Driver Ruben Cabrera Jr., 35, of Montebello was booked on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading of police causing great bodily injury and possession of methamphetamine. He was also already being sought for alleged parole violations.
Cabrera suffered injuries including broken ribs in the crash, Jimenez said. He was treated for his injuries before being booking into jail.
A 27-year-old woman who was riding as a rear passenger suffered a mostly-severed arm, the officer said. Surgeons had reattached the arm Thursday, however the ultimate prognosis was unclear.
A 16-year-old girl who was two to three months pregnant and riding as a front passenger in the SUV suffered injuries including a broken wrist, Jimenez said.
Officers first spotted the Toyota RAV4 speeding in the fast lane of the westbound 10 Freeway near Puente Avenue, Jimenez said. The SUV suddenly exited the freeway at Fransicquito Avenue and blew through a stop sign at Garvey and Vineland avenues.
Officers tried to pull the SUV over, but the driver sped off, initiating a chase, he said.
But the driver lost control of the vehicle as it rounded a bend where Garvey Avenue becomes Big Dalton Avenue, striking several trees and shearing a fire hydrant, Jimenez said.
The SUV’s gas tank ruptured and the RAV4 burst into flames, he said.
The pursuing officers suddenly became rescuers as they freed the three trapped occupants from the burning car, Jimenez said.
The officers pulled the driver from the SUV, he said. “That’s when they heard screaming from inside the car. The fire started growing. They saw that there was a female passenger in the right rear.”
Officer managed to pull out the rear passenger and discovered the 16-year-old passenger also trapped in the front passenger seat.
As the fire continued to grow larger, the officers cut the seat belt of the third and final occupant and freed her from the flaming wreck, Jimenez said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Cabrera was being held without bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Friday in West Covina Superior Court.

Horse rescued after falling into well at Agua Dulce movie ranch

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Brian Day

AGUA DULCE >> Firefighters rescued a horse unharmed after it fell into a well on a ranch used as a movie set Saturday morning, authorities said.
The horse took a misstep and fell into a 10-foot-deep well about 11:20 a.m. at the Sweetwater Movieland Ranch, often used as film set, at 32500 Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Art Marrujo said.|
As captured on video and posted to @FireScannerSCV on Twitter, firefighters used
a crane to hoist the large animal from the well.
“The horse was fine,” Marrujo said. It’ didn’t even need to be tranquilized.”
The effort lasted for more than an hour and a half.

PHOTOS/VIDEO courtesy of @FireScannerSCV on Twitter

UPDATED: Man killed in small airplane crash in Angeles National Forest north of Altadena

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Brian Day

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> A small airplane crashed in the Angeles National Forest north of Altadena Sunday morning, killing a man.
On man was pronounced dead at the crash scene, Deputy Kimberly Alexander of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau said. There were no initial reports of additional injuries or additional occupants aboard the plane.
Rescuers searched the Angeles National Forest near Mt. Wilson for more than seven hours before finding the crash site after the small airplane vanished from radar amid inclement weather Sunday morning, officials said.
The missing aircraft was first reported shortly after 9:10 a.m., Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
“Apparently, it went off radar,” sheriff’s Lt. Randy Tuinstra said.
•Flight path of missing plane
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer confirmed officials lost communications with the single-engine airplane.
“We have a reported missing aircraft, a Cessna 182. … Traveling from Montgomery Field in San Diego to Santa Monica Municipal Airport, he said. “Contact was lost 17 miles east of Van Nuys.”
No witnesses reported seeing the aircraft in trouble, Tuinstra said.
According to FlightRadar24.com, the aircraft’s last reported altitude was about 4,000 feet, below the elevation of nearby mountain tops.
Bad weather prevented sheriff’s department helicopters from joining the search.
“Visibility is very, very low right now,” Tuinstra said. “We’re hoping that will burn off soon and we can get a better look.”
Members of the Montrose, Altadena, San Dimas, Sierra Madre and Canta Clarita search and rescue teams continued scouring the area on the ground until the weather improved in the afternoon, allowing search helicopters to join in the operation, officials said.
The aircraft crash site was found near the 4,466-foot-tall Brown Mountain, in the forest north of Altadena, according to Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the sheriff’s Information Bureau.
The airplane is registered to San Diego Skylane LLC, according to FAA records. It has a valid, standard-classification flight certification.

South Pasadena cop on first patrol and corporal rescue suicidal woman from freeway overpass

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Brian Day

SOUTH PASADENA >> A South Pasadena police corporal and an officer on his first patrol rescued a suicidal woman who was threatening to jump from a freeway overpass Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The incident unfolded shortly after 6:10 p.m., when police received a report of a woman threatening to jump from the Prospect Avenue overpass of the 110 Freeway, South Pasadena police Sgt. Spencer Louie said in a written statement.
Nine-year department veteran Cpl. Juan Salcido and Officer Brian Wiley, who graduated Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy 412 on Friday and was out for his first day of patrol, found the woman sitting on the ledge, facing the freeway, he said.
“She was hysterical and yelling while she was talking on her cell phone, threatening to jump,” Louie said. “Seeing that she was distracted while talking on the phone, Cpl. Salcido approached the female subject and grabbed her around the waist to pull her off the ledge.
“She struggled momentarily with Cpl. Salcido and with the assistance of Officer Wiley, they were able to safely get her onto the sidewalk,” he said.
The woman, 20, was taken for psychiatric evaluation, police said.

Man bit by rattlesnake above Altadena recovering well

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Brian Day

ALTADENA >> A mountain biker bitten by a rattlesnake in the forest north of Altadena was recovering well Saturday, his sister said.
Avid cyclist Brad Adams, 25, of Los Angeles was out for his usual Friday morning ride shortly before noon, heading up Brown Mountain Trail in the Angeles National Forest just north of Altadena, when he encountered the rattlesnake, according to his sister, Candace Adams.
“He briefly stopped at a crest to wait for his friend when a rattlesnake bit him above his right ankle without warning,” she said in an email. “He did not feel the bite until the snake had finished its assault.”
Brad realized he had been bitten, but had not cell phone reception, his sister said.
“(He) immediately hopped on his bicycle and began the 5-mile descent to the trailhead,” she said. Brad sped down the mountain as fast as he could.
“Within the 15 minutes, he said he could feel the effects of the venom course through his foot and the rest of his body,” Candace said. “It was moments after that Brad reached the base that the other cyclists had caught up. One of the cyclists managed to call 911.”
Los Angeles County sheriff’s and fire department officials treated the injured bicyclist and rushed him to a hospital by helicopter, sheriff’s Lt. Douglas Mohrhoff said.
His recovery was progressing well Saturday in an intensive-care unit, Candace said. He responded well to antivenom, and no surgery was expected to be needed.
Though he was warned that he will experience swelling for about a week and should avoid strenuous activity, she said, “He should be going home (Sunday).”

PHOTOS/VIDEO courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Mountain biker rushed to hospital after snake bite in forest north of Altadena

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Brian Day

ALTADENA >> Rescuers flew a 25-year-old mountain biker out of the Angeles National Forest north of Altadena for medical treatment after he was bitten by a rattlesnake Friday, authorities said.
The man stumbled upon the venomous reptile about 11:40 a.m. along Brown Mountain Trail, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Douglas Mohrhoff said.
Sheriff’s deputies, including those in department’s “Air-5” helicopter, and Los Angeles County firefighters headed up the trail and found the snake bite victim, the lieutenant said.
“He was transported by Air-5 to (Huntington Hospital in Pasadena) for further medical treatment,” Mohrhoff said.
“He was conscious at the time,” Mohrhoff said. An update on the man’s condition was not available.
With spring upon us, officials urged those recreating in the forest, conducting yard work or otherwise spending time outdoors to me mindful of rattlesnakes.
A 3-year-old girl suffered a rattlesnake bite in Chino Hills on Tuesday, according to San Bernardino Fire Department officials.
She was hiking on a trail near Soquel Canyon Road and Pipeline Avenue when she was bit in the leg, officials said. She was flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where she listed in stable condition.
And some experts suspect California’s long-running drought may be encouraging the snakes to slither out of their usual, more secluded habitats in search of food and water.
“As springtime calls people and snakes alike to the outdoors, encounters with snakes become inevitable,” according to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife fact sheet. “California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake — the rattlesnake.”
Though not common, it’s wise to have a plan in place in the event of a rattlesnake bite, officials said.
“Carry a portable phone, hike with a companion who can assist in an emergency, and make sure that family or friends know where you are going and when you will be checking in,” according to the CDFW statement.
If bitten, a person should stay calm; wash the bite area gently with soap and water; remove watches, rings or other items which may constrict swelling; immobilize the affected area; and seek medical care immediately.

PHOTOS, VIDEO via Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Driver rescued after car falls 200 feet over side of forest road north of Glendora

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Brian Day

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> Rescuers hoisted an injured man from the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora Saturday after his car tumbled 200 feet over the side of a cliff, authorities said.
The crash was reported at 3:55 p.m. along near Glendora Ridge Road and Glendora Mountain Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Thomas Reid said.
Tactical medics dropped down to the crash scene by rope before hoisting the driver, a man in his 20s, to safety and rushing him to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena for treatment, officials said. His injuries were not initially believed to be life-threatening, however, an update on his condition was not available Saturday afternoon.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

PHOTO via LASD Special Enforcement Bureau.

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