The Guardians of the Sky – LASD Air Rescue 5 Save a Man and his Dog.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Services Detail, also known as Air Rescue 5, rescued a hiker and his beloved dog after the hiker was unable to traverse the trail in the Mount Wilson area.
On August 8, 2022, at approximately 1:30 pm, Air Rescue 5 received a call for service regarding a hiker and his dog who fell 200 feet over the side of the trail near Mount Wilson.
The Air 5 crew responded to the area of the call and located Mr. Dave Santonil and his dog Bubba, who were approximately 200 feet over the side of the Mount Wilson Trail. Mr. Santonil and his dog were standing on a small shelf of soil that protruded from the vertical mountainside and had a very steep drop. Based on Mr. Santonil and his dog’s difficult position, Air Rescue 5 assessed the situation and devised a rescue plan.
The Air Rescue pilots maneuvered the aircraft in the canyon and placed it where the helicopter’s rotors would not blow Mr. Santonil and his dog from their fragile position. With the assistance of his partners, Deputy Belleville using rappelling equipment was lowered from the helicopter to where Mr. Santonil and his dog were. He managed to secure Mr. Santonil & his dog safely and hoisted them up into safety.
“There are dangers in the trails. We have the nation’s largest county, and we have the nation’s largest playground right next to the largest population. So, the mixture of those two leads the crew of Air Rescue 5 to be very busy during the summer months, during the winter months and pretty much all year long.” Sheriff Villanueva stated during the press conference.
LASD’s Air Rescue five motto is “Saving Lives Priority One.” Another incredible rescue from the guardians of the sky.
LASD continues to remind hikers of the dangers of hiking alone and with pets. Have a hiking plan and tell someone your plan. Visit LASD.org for more hiking tips at https://lasd.org/hiking-tips/
LASD’s Special Enforcement Bureau: Emergency Services Detail (SEB/ESD) is a highly trained multi-mission bureau. SEB/ESD deputies operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to their tactical operations, all SEB/ESD deputies are certified, paramedics and rescue divers. They are responsible for coordinating and participating in mountain search & rescue, underwater search & rescue, and swift water & flood rescue operations for the Sheriff’s Department. They staff the Air Rescue 5 Helicopter and the Ocean Rescue Boat and accompany the Special Weapons Teams on all operations.
