Rescuers save three people stranded in snow at Pinecrest Lake
Three adults without proper winter gear were rescued from a location near the South Fork Stanislaus River inlet that flows into the east end of Pinecrest Reservoir, the Tuolumne County Fire Department, county Sheriff’s Search-and-rescue Team, and Mi-wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District said last week.
It took multiple rescuers about six hours working at night in deep snow and freezing temperatures to bring the adult victims safely to an ambulance crew at Pinecrest Marina. They were called out to respond in the dark shortly after 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6, the agencies said.
There were three potential victims, and two were described as non-ambulatory, meaning they could not move any further or they were having great difficulty moving. They were reportedly stranded on the backside of the reservoir.
Two volunteer firefighters from county fire station 55 in Pinecrest were the first to respond. They hiked and snowshoed for close to one hour to get to where the victims were, a news release stated.
The firefighters found three adults who had been out in the snow for seven hours, unprepared for the winter conditions, suffering exhaustion and weather-related injuries. The firefighters wrapped the adults in emergency blankets and provided food and water.
In the meantime, backup rescuers with Miwuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District arrived with more gear, including additional warming supplies, food, water and a rescue sled. Rescuers got a fire going and called for more help from the county Sheriff’s Search-and-rescue Team.
The team eventually arrived with more gear,
including more water and dry clothing for the victims, by 10:30 p.m. that night.
The rescuers put at least one victim on a sled and dragged that sled-bound victim while helping the other victims back to a waiting ambulance crew near the Pinecrest Marina about 12:30 a.m. Feb. 7.
County fire personnel described the journey back as a rugged hike. By the time they got the victims to the marina, the provided water, food, and the exercise and movement on the way to the ambulance crew, had revived all three adult victims. All three rescued victims declined ambulance transport. The three adults who required rescue were not identified.
County fire personnel said the unprepared adults and the rescue they required brought to mind several things.
First, when you’re in the backcountry or the high country any time of year, “wear the appropriate gear and prepare for the worst-case scenario,” County fire personnel said. “Second, always ensure you travel together, and let other people know where you’re headed and when you expect to be back.”
In addition, the specialized equipment rescuers and other first-responders use in alpine winter conditions — like winter rescue gear and all-weather response vehicles — all cost money to purchase, test and maintain, county fire personnel said. In other words, rescues do not occur without significant costs.
None of the rescuing agencies said whether the adult victims will be charged for their rescue.
Finally, “teamwork, thinking ahead, and good communication by emergency responders provided for a positive outcome,” county fire personnel said. “It could have been the opposite.”