SHERIFFS HELICOPTER 40KING2 PERFORMS MULTIPLE RESCUES OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
SCM ALERT🚨, Mon May 25 2020, 06:54PM

SAN BERNARDINO SHERIFF NEWS RELEASE
SHERIFFS HELICOPTER 40KING2 PERFORMS MULTIPLE RESCUES OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

MT BALDY
On Saturday, May 23, 2020, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Sharon Nieto, 25, arrived in the Mt. Baldy area with plans to hike to the summit. While hiking, Nieto’s sustained a non-life-threatening injury to her knee. She attempted to continue hiking but due to the pain and discomfort she was unable to continue. An unknown hiker saw Nieto and assisted her by placing a call for service.

The call for service was routed to San Bernardino County Fire Dispatch. County Fire contacted San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch and requested assistance in locating Nieto. Sheriff’s Dispatch requested a patrol unit from the Fontana Sheriff’s Station as well as Sheriff’s Aviation assets.

San Bernardino County Sheriff helicopter 40King2 responded to the area. 40King2 conducted an area check and located Nieto at the 9,000-foot level. Due to the terrain, it was determined that a hoist recue was needed. As a result of the elevation, terrain, and warm temperatures several attempts were made before 40King2 was able to safely place themselves in a safe hover to hoist a rescue medic down to Nieto.

The rescue medic was hoisted approximately 90 feet down to the ground where Nieto was located. Once the medic contacted Nieto and assessed her injuries, he placed her into a rescue harness. The medic communicated with 40King2 and the crew returned to pick up Nieto. Nieto was hoisted up in to the helicopter and was transported to the San Antonio Dam to be seen and treated by County Fire and AMR personnel.


LOMA LINDA HILLS
On Sunday, May 24, 2020, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Octavian Cureteu, 77, and his daughter were hiking in the Loma Linda Hills when Cureteu lost his footing and injured his ankle. Unable to walk, and with no cell phone, Cureteu crawled to a nearby tree for shade. His daughter hiked down the mountain and found another hiker to call 911 for help.

San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to the area and located Cureteu. Due to the remote, steep and rugged terrain where Cureteu became injured, County Fire requested a helicopter with hoist capabilities.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Department's 40King2 responded and lowered a rescue medic down to Cureteu. After evaluating Cureteu's injuries, the medic placed Cureteu in a rescue harness and he was hoisted up into the helicopter. 40King2 transported Cureteu down the hill and landed in a field where County Fire and AMR personnel were waiting. Cureteu was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.