Sheriff's helicopters crews and Rancho Cucamonga firefighters rescued a 17-year-old Fontana girl who fell Monday in Cucamonga Canyon, and she was flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment.
The incident occurred in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Rancho Cucamonga, west of Deer Canyon, according to sheriff's aviation Crew Chief Mike Ells.
One helicopter crew was dispatched about 11:30 a.m. May 13 to help firefighters locate a fall victim, and she was spotted "near the first falls area of the canyon," Ells said in a statement.
The air crew directed firefighters on the ground and they made contact with the victim, Ells said.
"The 17-year-old Fontana resident suffered injuries to her leg and pelvic area," Ells said. "Due to the terrain, the distance into the canyon, and the victim's injuries, a hoist rescue helicopter was requested."
Ells was crew chief on San Bernardino County sheriff's Rescue Helicopter 307, with pilot Jim Landry and paramedic Robert Abijay, and they did a 110-foot hoist rescue of the victim.
"Abijay was hoisted down into the canyon along with a stokes litter," Ells said. "Abijay and firefighters stabilized the victim and treated her injuries. Abijay and the victim were then hoisted out of the canyon . . . "
The girl was flown then by helicopter to Loma Linda University Medical Center. An update on her recovery was not available Thursday.
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