Commend San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue Volunteers, and County Environmental Services Agency's Parks Division staff and volunteer, for the March 21, 2002 successful search and rescue operation on Montara Mountain. |
In the late afternoon of March 21, 2002, Mr. Jorge Wilson, a 31-year-old hiker with a Special Needs Program from the City of San Jose Parks & Recreation, became separated from his group. Pacifica Police Department was dispatched to the scene and began searching for him in the area of San Pedro Valley County Park. They contacted County Parks and Sheriff's Office for assistance; and a full search and rescue operation commenced. Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue units were activated, including the Sheriff's Air Squadron's fixed wing aircraft. Parks staff joined in the operation. Ranger Steve Durkin, the Park Ranger in Residence, had been off-duty that day and when he returned home about 5:00 p.m., he asked if his assistance was needed. Indicated that it was not, the Ranger went to his home. From there, he could hear someone crying, "Help!" He notified the Command Post and joined in the search. Around midnight, Mr. Wilson was located. He had strayed from the trail and was trapped in dense brush on a steep incline several hundred yards north of the communication towers just inside San Pedro Valley Park. Using chain saws to clear a path, personnel were able to extract Mr. Wilson 3 ½ hours later. He was cold and scratched, but uninjured. |
The successful search and rescue operation for Mr. Wilson required extraordinary efforts of all of the individuals involved. The area being searched was vast; echo effects distorted the direction of sound so searchers had to coordinate to eliminate echo locations; there is dense brush and steep, rocky terrain; and it was dark and cold. Fortunately, Mr. Wilson was able to almost continuously shout for help. It took eight hours to locate the hiker; and more than three hours to extract him from the dense brush in which he had become trapped. To get to him physically, personnel had to carve tunnels through growth, which permitted at times access traveling like a snake would, on their bellies. Although we are asking the Board to commend the County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit Volunteers, and Environmental Services Agency's (ESA) Parks Division staff and volunteer as entities, we think all 51 individuals who participated should be recognized for the record. |