At 1040 hours, the Team was called to respond to a report of a 17-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his hand and thigh, in the vicinity of Alger Lakes. Rescue base was established at the Rush Creek Trailhead near Silver Lake, and a request for air resources was made due to the life-threatening nature of the reported injury.
A field team of 2 left base for a hasty response, followed by field teams of 3 and then 2 to carry additional gear. CHP helicopter H40 responded to the subject’s location, but due to the high altitude, hot temperatures, and strong, gusty winds was unable to land or extract the subject.
Further air resources were requested, and an Air National Guard UH 60 Blackhawk from Mather Field in Sacramento accepted the mission and began prepping the crew and aircraft. In the interim, field team one reached the subject’s location and began an assessment and treatment of the injuries.
Shortly thereafter the Blackhawk arrived on scene as was able to land nearby. The subject and field team one were on-boarded and flown to Mammoth-Yosemite Airport. A waiting Mono County Medic unit transported the subject to Mammoth Hospital for treatment of his non-life threatening injuries. Field team 4 left base to assist the other field teams in their return.
Arriving at Alger Lakes to transport the subject. Image by J. Bush.
Sikorsky UH 60 at Alger Lakes. Image by J. Bush
Filed team 3 returned to Agnew Lake at the Southern California Edison (SCE) maintenance tram station, and field teams 2 and 4 joined them shortly thereafter. SCE provided 2 tram operators, and field teams 2, 3, and 4 were transported from Agnew Lake to the SCE power station near Silver Lake, where they were picked up and returned to rescue base. The operation terminated at 1827 hours.
Field teams 2, 3, and 4 arriving at the SCE power station via winch tram. Image by B. Beck
Disembarking form the tram at the destination. Image by B. Beck
IC: Pelichowski Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Blackman, Buchanan, Bush, Endo, Godshalk, Hodges, Kaufman, Knight, Torrence, and Wallace.