PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — In a dramatic aerial video, the Placer County Sheriff's Office shows how a group off-roading travelers were rescued by helicopter. But they now have a message for others planning to head up the hill as well.
Falcon 30 responded for a search and rescue on Jan. 5., hours after a father, son and friend ended up stranded while off-roading in their 4x4 truck.
Lt. Ty Conners, with the sheriff's office, said their family called dispatch when they didn't come home, and through 911 texting, the Placer County Sheriff's Office found their location.
"There was three that were out and they were going for 4-wheeling. They met up and they said they wanted to go to the backcountry and drive around in the snow. They had a 4-wheel drive truck, but that's what their ultimate goal was just to go drive around in the snow and come back later on that afternoon," said Lt. Conners.
He said they found the men between Soda Springs and French Meadows, which is known to be a rural area in the country.
Lt. Conners works for the Office of Emergency Management and plays a strategic role in organizing the team.
"Anytime, an air operations is very dangerous. Obviously with the conditions, the elevation, and everything that they're dealing with, there's a lot of trees that they have to deal with as well. Once they were able to locate the subjects, they look for an area they can do hoist operation," said Lt. Conners.
However, Plan B was also in place with crews on the ground ready to respond if needed, but it would have taken about six to eight hours. The flight crew took less than two hours.
The sheriff's office is now asking other adventure seekers to plan ahead for the worst.
"Any type of 4-wheel drive operation, especially in the snow... it's better to go out with a partner, another vehicle. That way, if you get stuck, one can try to do a rescue itself — having options, letting your family know, and knowing what location you're going to," said Lt. Conners.
Deputies said people should also pack enough to stay overnight if needed and make sure their cell phone is charged.
If anyone gets lost, they said it's best to stay in one location because it's easier to be tracked down that way.
WATCH ALSO:
