Lost Trail, Disoriented, Fatigued, Activated SOS On GPS Device

An 81-year-old woman, an avid hiker, was rescued via helicopter hoist after she lost the trail, became disoriented, and activated the emergency signal on her GPS device. The rescue took place on the Upper Franklin Trail in Carpinteria, California, near Santa Barbara.

At 4:30 pm on October 6, Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue (SBCSAR), Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, and Santa Barbara County Air Support were dispatched when the woman activated her emergency signal near Franklin Trail.

The hiker’s GPS coordinates placed her off the trail, down an embankment near a creek, according to SBCSAR.

SBCSAR and firefighters searched the area from several access points, while the Fire Department performed a drone search and Air Support Helicopter 2 conducted an aerial search. A team from SBCSAR searched down the creek and found the hiker about a quarter mile downstream. Upon examination, she had some minor scrapes and appeared fatigued.

The EMT provided assessment and initial medical care until the fire personnel arrived shortly after, and care was then transferred to the paramedics.

Due to her level of fatigue, it was determined that a hoist extraction would be safer than trying to escort her out on foot. Air Support Copter 3 was requested because it is equipped with a hoist. Copter 2 remained on overwatch and helped guide Copter 3 to the hiker’s location.

As Copter 3 was inbound, fog began to roll in so the emergency teams prepped a contingency plan to use a rescue litter in case the hoist extraction became impossible. But fortunately Copter 3 arrived quickly and the hoist was successfully perfomed.

The hiker was transported to a hospital for any additional treatment, and her condition is unknown.

FMI:  sbcsar.org/