Miami Man Gets Lost on Mount Baldy, Sheriff's Helicopter Crew Do Hoist Rescue

A man from Miami got lost Sunday on Mount Baldy and a sheriff's helicopter crew found him and did a hoist rescue around 8,000 feet elevation in the Baldy Bowl area above the Ski Hut, aviation personnel said.

The man, identified as 49-year-old Shuliang Jiao of Miami, Florida, walked to the summit of Baldy, also known as Mount San Antonio, 10,064 feet above sea level, according to the Sheriff's Department.

After reaching the peak, Jiao strayed from the trail and wasn't able to find his way back to the Ski Hut, aviation personnel said. He was reported missing about 4:45 p.m. July 28.

"Sheriff's Aviation immediately launched the patrol helicopter from the Apple Valley hangar," aviation personnel said. "Deputy Jim Landry and Deputy Mike Ells searched the area for over an hour. The victim was located in an area known as the Baldy Bowl."

Due to rugged terrain and the sloped ravine, ground medics were unable to walk the victim out of the area, aviation personnel said. A crew in a helicopter called Sheriff's Air Rescue 305 responded to prepare for a technical hoist rescue.

Piloted by Cpl. Randy Gerwig, AR305 flew a volunteer medical crew, Reserve Deputy/EMT Wayne Hess, Volunteer RN Stacey Price and EMT-Paramedic Dan Word, for the rescue, aviation personnel said.

Once the victim's location was pin-pointed, Gerwig flew the helicopter over the scene while Hess, crew chief and hoist operator, guided Gerwig directly over the victim.

At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Hess lowered Word about 75 feet to the ground, aviation personnel said.

"The victim was secured into a Bauman Screamer Suit and hoisted back up into the helicopter," aviation personnel said. "The victim sustained no injuries and was flown to awaiting personnel at the command post."

The sheriff's Air Rescue Team includes local doctors, nurses, paramedics, and EMTs who donate thousands of hours of their personal time, according to the Sheriff's Department.

"Due to their dedication, citizens of San Bernardino County receive the best medical care and neither the victims nor their families are billed for their services," sheriff's personnel said.