News & Columns > News Team > Hiker Rescued by Helicopter Near Cliffhanger Restaurant (Update 3)

Hiker Rescued by Helicopter Near Cliffhanger Restaurant (Update 3)

Identified at 51-year-old Riverside Resident

By News Team
Monday, November 2, 2009

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Update 3 - Monday 4:30 p.m.

Rimforest, CA - A 51-year-old Riverside hiker — identified as Allen Smith — was airlifted to Mountains Community Hospital by 40-King after being plucked from a remote area near the old Cliffhanger Restaurant.

A hiker slightly injured in a fall was rescued by 40 King just before 10:30 a.m. today in a remote area behind the old Cliffhanger Restaurant. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Smith told rescuers he had been hiking in the area near Baylis Park off Highway 18 when he slipped and fell.

"The man had to hike quite a distance to get a cellphone signal to summon help," Sheriff's Department spokesperson Arden Wiltshire stated.

Update 2 - Monday 11:33 a.m.

Rimforest, CA - A San Bernardino Sheriff's Department helicopter rescued a slightly injured hiker Monday morning in a remote location below the old Cliffhanger Restaurant.

Once the helicopter extracted the unidentified victim, he was airlifted to Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead to meet up with law enforcement and emergency personnel. The man apparently spent the night in the forest after slipping down a hillside.

The California Highway Patrol tagged a vehicle at 1:31 a.m. today in a turnout near Baylis Park on Highway 18 reportedly belonging to the hiker rescued in rugged terrain below the old Cliffhanger Restaurant. Officer Eddie Escalara reports the rider's side window had been broken out. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

A vehicle was found in a nearby turnout registered to a Riverside address and was identified by the California Highway Patrol as belonging to the hiker.

The 1999 Dodge Ram pick-up had a broken rider's side window and had been tagged by the CHP at 1:31 a.m. today. On the front seat of the truck was a Thomas Guide open to pages showing the area of the incident just off Highway 18 near Baylis Park.

The tags on the vehicle had expired last month and the renewal notice for the truck was found unopened on the dashboard along with a pair of new windshield wipers.

The incident began shortly after 9 a.m. this morning at about the 4,000-foot level on Highway 18. Responding agencies includes California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County Sheriff, U. S. Forest Service and Crest Forest Fire.

Update - 10:30 a.m.

Rimforest, CA — The victim has been extracted from the hillside below the Cliffhanger and was airlifted to Mountain Community Hospital.

Original

Rimforest, CA — Emergency personnel are on scene near the Cliffhanger on Highway 18 assisting a party that apparently fell down the hillside. Personnel have spotted the party approximately one-quarter mile down from the Cliffhanger. The victim has been there over night and initial reports indicate has minor injuries.

The Sheriff's Helicopter is en route to assist in rescuing the victim.

Map approximate location based on latitude and longitude given per scanner transmission.

Details to follow.