Stuck for days in snow near Death Valley, here’s how a driver was found and flown to safety
A man reported missing amid a snowstorm in Inyo County was found safe, authorities said Saturday, after a search that was repeatedly delayed by continuing storms.
Deputies with the Inyo County Search and Rescue team were alerted Tuesday to a possible missing person, who had not heard from since the morning of Feb. 24.
The man, who was not identified, reportedly was en route to Gardnerville from Big Pine and was going to take Highway 168 because of the closure on Highway 395 by a snow storm.
In the next few days, more storms hit the region.
The search and rescue team decided Tuesday to begin a search along Highway 168, but held off until the next day because of continued rough weather conditions. More bad weather on Wednesday forced another day’s delay.
Search gets under way
On Thursday, four search and rescue members, with help from Caltrans, made their way to Deep Springs Valley to focus the search around the Gilbert Pass area. The California Highway Patrol helicopter also assisted.
CHP forensics around noon reported an identified cell ping that had been picked up Friday along Death Valley Road, a rough road running south of Highway 168, leading into Death Valley National Park.
The CHP helicopter returned to Bishop Airport for refueling, flew to Death Valley Road and continued the aerial search. Within a short time, the helicopter crew spotted a vehicle partially buried in snow.
As the crew made their way closer, a window on the vehicle was lowered and a person began waving from inside the vehicle. The CHP helicopter returned to the airport to prepare for extraction, went back to the vehicle and took the man onboard to Bishop Airport.
The man, identified as the subject of the search, was discharged from the hospital on Friday night.
Warning: ‘Prepare for unexpected’ on mountain trips
“The success of this mission was the result of the many volunteers who commit their personal time to serve as members of Inyo County Search and Rescue, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, CHP Inland Division Air Operations, Caltrans District 9, as well as many members of the community — both near and far — who offered planning, logistical, and moral support,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote.
“InyoSAR would like to remind everyone to always be prepared for unexpected events and have a safety plan in place when traveling through the mountains.”
