(KRON) — A hiker who went missing over the weekend in the Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo County was rescued after an extensive overnight search by a dozen agencies, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) announced Tuesday. The woman was missing for nearly 12 hours in the frigid temperatures before being located.
The hiker was visiting the Loma Mar area with a group on Saturday when she went out for a solo hike along Old Haul Road at around 4 p.m., authorities said. By sunset, the woman had not returned and her group began to search for her. After not locating her, and becoming increasingly worried, the group called the sheriff’s office for help.
Arriving deputies used a drone to assist, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter began to search the area. With the chilling darkness set in, and search efforts thus far unsuccessful, the SMCSO Emergency Services Bureau of specially trained search and rescue volunteers was deployed.
After missing for around 11 and a half hours, the search crew comprised of 25 volunteers heard the hiker responding to their shouts at 3:30 a.m. The woman was 500 yards down a very steep hill alongside Pescadero Creek, authorities said.
Basic first aid was provided once the search team reached her down the hill. The hiker was uninjured “but exhausted and very cold,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Rescuing the hiker from the steep hill took nearly an hour, after which she was transported and evaluated by awaiting American Medical Response paramedics. Once cleared, she was reunited with her group.
“This is one of several missing hikers who have been rescued by our Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers over the last few months,” San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a statement. “It is so important to remember the dangers of hiking, especially at night and in unfamiliar areas.”
The sheriff thanked the volunteer search and rescue team for locating the hiker under the extremely challenging conditions. “Their efforts saved this woman’s life,” Corpus said.
(KRON) — A hiker who went missing over the weekend in the Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo County was rescued after an extensive overnight search by a dozen agencies, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) announced Tuesday. The woman was missing for nearly 12 hours in the frigid temperatures before being located. The […]
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