Search and Rescue Operation: Aid to ill backpacker near Horsetail Falls

Date:     August 12, 2015
Subject: Search and Rescue Team Operation

On Monday, August 10, 2015, at approximately 1:30pm, the Mono County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call regarding an ill backpacker at Horsetail Falls near Silver Lake.

A male backpacker, of Huntington Beach, California, was backpacking with a Boy Scout group. They were starting at Silver Lake, in the June Lake area, and heading into the backcountry. The group got to Horsetail Falls, above Silver Lake, when the backpacker became weak and fell behind the rest of the group. Other pack leaders found the ill backpacker suffering from chest pains and radiating pain consistent with a heart attack. They called 911.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team, June Lake Fire Department, Mono County Paramedics and Careflight were dispatched to aid the ill backpacker. During the response, members of the Scout group were able to get additional help from Southern California Edison (SCE), who maintain a tram in the area. They were able to use the tram to transport the ill backpacker to paramedics, who then transferred him to Careflight at the June Mountain parking lot. Careflight transported him to Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, for further treatment.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team thanks the staff of Southern California Edison (SCE) for their assistance in this operation. - Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer