Cellphone light helps CHP locate lost hiker

FAIRFIELD — A hiker lost at night in a remote canyon near Monticello Dam used a lighted cellphone to help a California Highway Patrol helicopter find him.

The 25-year-old male from Davis was hiking in the Lake Berryessa area starting at 8 a.m. Monday. By nightfall, he found himself lost and cold without food or water. He telephoned his family and told them of his plight. They called the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, which in turn contacted the CHP.

A CHP helicopter took to the air from the Napa County Airport and arrived at the Monticello Dam area about 8:32 p.m. Monday, according to a CHP press release. The helicopter crew used night vision goggles that easily located the dim light from the lighted cellphone that the hiker was waving, the press release said.

The helicopter couldn’t land because of the rugged terrain. Instead, it touched down only part of its front skids on a trail, allowing Officer Matt Gutierrez, a paramedic, to get out and hike a half-mile to the hiker. Gutierrez led the hiker back to the landing zone, where the two got in as the helicopter hovered a foot off the ground, the press release said.

The hiker was hungry, thirsty and cold, but uninjured, the press release said. CHP officials transferred him to the care of the Vacaville Fire Department. The Winters Fire Department also participated in the rescue effort. CHP Officer Jim Andrews piloted the helicopter and CHP Officer Shaun Bouyea and Gutierrez formed the rest of the crew.

Reach Barry Eberling at 427-6929, or beberling@dailyrepublic.net.

Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=129312

Posted by Barry Eberling on Jan 24 2012.

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