The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue team recently undertook an extensive operation to locate a missing individual who had ventured to the Gass Peak trailhead and subsequently found themselves unable to leave. According to a Instagram post from LVMPD Search and Rescue, the incident began on Monday, when the person attempted to depart but discovered their vehicle wouldn't start. Faced with this predicament, they had to choose to stay overnight, planning to wait for family assistance.
It was on Tuesday morning that things took a turn for the uncertain. After the subject had contacted a family member the previous day, they elected to scale the mountain, intent to supposedly watch the stars. However, when the family member arrived the next morning to render aid, they found the vehicle, but no trace of the missing person. LVMPD Search and Rescue officers quickly responded, dispatching three SAR officers who to immediately begin scour the area with dirt bikes and a UTV, while AIR1 took to the skies to assist. Despite their efforts, the initial ground and air search efforts came back negative.
Perseverance in the search resulted in a second air operation with AIR3, but this too did not immediately bring success in locating the missing individual. It was during the return flight to their hangar that the unexpected breakthrough occurred. The subject, whose phone had previously been turned off, managed to call in and advise SAR personnel of their location. The cellular connection had been absent till then, leaving digital tracking futile.
Once communication was re-established, AIR1 was quick to re-route and deploy a SAR officer to the subject's location. The officer carried out an on-site assessment and "they were both extracted via double up hoist," according to the LVMPD Search and Rescue post. The individual was subsequently transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to a local hospital. Thankfully, due to the dedication and swift action of the SAR teams, the situation was resolved without further complication.
