Sheriff’s office had a busy weekend

For most people, the Labor Day weekend was one last chance to get away and have a vacation before getting into the last few months of the year.

However, because of this, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office’s rescue team was also busy over the holiday weekend.

Lost hiker at Devils Slide

At 8:35 a.m. on September 4, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a hiker who said they were lost near either Corlieu Falls or Lewis Creek, north of Oakhurst. It was determined, through the Spot Coordinates provided by the 911 call and further questioning of her surroundings, that she was on Willow Creek at the top of Devils Slide north of Bass Lake.

MCSO Deputies, along with USFS Law Enforcement, immediately responded to the area. The missing hiker was located a short time later at the top of Devils Slide. She was escorted out of the area and back to her vehicle.

Skaggs Bridge incident

Around 2 p.m., also on Sunday, Sheriff’s Dispatch got a report of a tree that fell at Skaggs Bridge near Highway 145 and the Fresno/Madera County Line.

Initial reports indicated a tree fell down into the water, trapping 10-12 children underneath it. A multiagency response from Madera Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue Volunteers, Fresno Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol Helicopter, North Central Fire District, Fresno County Fire and American Ambulance responded to the location.

Upon arrival of rescue crews, it was found that everyone was accounted for with three people suffering minor injuries from the incident.

Missing hiker at Chilkoot Campground

Later Sunday afternoon, MCSO was notified of a 60-year-old female, a resident of Los Angeles County, who was separated from her family during a hike to Chilkoot Creek at about 4 p.m.

Immediately, Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Search and Rescue Volunteers, USFS Law Enforcement and the California Highway Patrol Helicopter H-40, responded to locate the hiker.

Upon arrival, multiple search techniques were used such as the helicopter, drone, USFS LE K-9 team, and a hike team.

During search operations, the patient was located in the middle of the Willow Creek drainage, just upstream from Chilkoot Creek.

Although dehydrated and weak, she was able to hike out with the search team to an awaiting paramedic from Sierra Ambulance. She was found to be in good enough health to continue her weekend camping with her family.

“Search crews should be commended for their relentless efforts fielding back to back calls and enduring stifling heat conditions during Sunday’s rescues,” Sheriff Tyson Pogue said. “We are grateful for the positive outcome of all three missions, and as always thank our partnering agencies for their assistance.”