First responders make 12-hour rescue during atmospheric river

First responders prepare to carry a hypothermic hiker to an ambulance. (Photo courtesy of Monterey County Sheriff’s Office)

A hiker was rescued from a trip gone awry, during the atmospheric river that hit the Central Coast on Thursday.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team along with Cal Fire, Big Sur Fire, Urban Search and Rescue and California State Parks completed a nearly 12-hour rescue missing during “blustery weather conditions” after a hiker reported becoming hypothermic while hiking in Andrew Molera State Park east of Highway 1.

The Sheriff’s Office was notified around noon Thursday that someone had sent out an SOS signal from a GPS device, indicating that they needed help and were at risk of freezing.

The multi-group of departments searched for the person for about 8 miles, climbing about 4,000 feet.

The storm-driven rain made visibility challenging causing the search to last longer, and be more difficult, than expected. First responders found the person around 5:30 p.m. They requested a helicopter, but the adverse weather conditions forced the helicopter to turn around before reaching the rescuers.

First responders then carried the person back down the trail and transferred them to an ambulance at about midnight, 12 hours after the rescue began.

“Monterey County has one of the best Search and Rescue teams in the state of California who are always ready to go out and help those in need of rescuing in our backcountry,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto in a press release. “It is still important to remind our residents and guests to be aware of their abilities when setting out on hikes. Always carry proper supplies and utilize appropriate clothing and consider weather conditions. The weather conditions on Feb. 13, were not favorable for hiking, making this situation dangerous, not only for the public, but for our rescuers as well.”

(Photo courtesy of Monterey County Sheriff’s Office)