In a display of rapid response and skilled coordination, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Aero Bureau crew successfully executed an emergency air evacuation for an injured cyclist this past Saturday. The injured individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, encountered a severe accident while cycling on Glendora Mountain Road, crashing at a speed of around 30 miles per hour.
The patrol unit, which had been cruising the area as part of their routine duties, stumbled upon the scene, recognizing instantly the gravity of the cyclist's injuries, the LASD divulged the rescue on their official Facebook page. The deputies swiftly determined that the victim's condition necessitated air transport, they made an urgent call to their aviation unit, known as Air 5, which responded with characteristic agility and precision.
Executing a complex maneuver, the Air 5 helicopter managed to land on its belly upon a berm—rough terrain that is far from the ideal helipad—to secure the cyclist and lift him to the nearest medical facility. "Many thanks to our Air 5 crew for keeping it rad and getting our guy out quickly to get the medical attention he needed," said the department in a Facebook post that detailed the incident and thanked the crew for their 'rad' efforts.
The accident, which drew together various branches of emergency response teams including the LASD Reserve Forces Detail and the U.S. Forest Service, serves as a potent reminder of the unseen perils that outdoor enthusiasts face, and of the seamless integration between different services necessary to mitigate the impact of such occurrences; the San Dimas Sheriff's Station, the San Dimas Sheriffs Boosters, and the San Dimas CERT were also recognized for their involvement, paying homage to the unheralded heroes of the county’s search and rescue operations.
