High Sierra Topix

On July 28, 2016, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Helicopter 40 (H-40) was requested by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department to assist with a personal locator beacon activation. [See CHP Video here] A personal locator beacon notifies first responders of an emergency with a latitude and longitude of the victim’s location. The GPS coordinates of the activation showed the victim was located in the area of Bear Creek southeast of Edison Lake. Due to thunderstorms in the area, the helicopter response was not immediately possible and postponed to the next morning. A Fresno County Sheriff’s Department search and rescue team hiked to the victim. The search and rescue team located the victim, Mr. Kelan Poorman of Oceanside, CA, that evening at an elevation of 8,500 ft. Mr. Poorman was suffering from flu-like symptoms, dehydration, and was unable to continue due to his condition. The search and rescue team stayed with him until H-40 was able to respond the following morning. At 6:00 a.m. on July 29, 2016, the H-40 crew of Sgt. J. Andriese (pilot) and Officer R. Hotchkiss (paramedic) responded to the area and conducted a hoist rescue of Mr. Poorman. H-40 transported Mr. Poorman to Mammoth Airport they met ground ambulance which transported him to the Mammoth hospital for treatment.