07-30-13
On July 30, 2013 at Approximately 1:30 AM, Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station Deputies Eddie Tsuang, Oganes Dallakyan, and Jacob Goble initiated a life-saving operation when they were flagged down while patrolling Angeles Crest Highway at mile marker 42, regarding a vehicle that drove 400 feet over the side of the highway.
The driver and passenger had both been ejected from the vehicle, but the passenger was able to crawl up the mountain to safety and dialed 9-1-1. The driver, was ejected and hanging on a cliff. He was aided by Deputies Goble and Dallakyan, who rushed down the mountain on foot and physically held onto him, as the victim was exhausted and injured.
The deputies were able to keep the victim alert and conscious while communicating with Deputy Tsuang, who remained at the top of the road for radio communications and responding emergency personnel's response.
Montrose Search and Rescue Team, California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Los Angeles County Fire Department, responded to the scene. Montrose Search and Rescue and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel worked together, rappelled over the side of the mountain and were able to stabilize the driver, placing him into a rescue basket.
Montrose Search and Rescue Team and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel worked together to raise the driver to the roadway in a rescue basket, which was hoisted up the steep mountain side by the Montrose Search and Rescue winch truck.
The driver was airlifted to a local trauma facility via Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter and his condition is unknown. The passenger was transported via ground ambulance to a local hospital with possible internal injuries.
Deputy personnel sustained minor injuries during this rescue of the driver.
The Montrose Search and Rescue Team personnel are reserve sheriff's deputies who volunteer their time to help others for $1 a year, and who partner with sheriff's civilian volunteers who volunteer for free. There are over 150 members of the eight Search and Rescue teams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who were activated for over 450 search and rescue missions last year, making it one of the most active counties for search and rescue missions in the nation. Reserve deputies and civilian volunteers are supervised by full-time sheriff's deputies.
Did you know? There are over 850 LASD reserve sheriff's deputies who work patrol, jails, search and rescue, motorcycle patrol, mounted posse, investigations, and more, as team members of the second largest policing agency in the nation. http://lasdreserve.org/
The Crescenta Valley Station Reserve Coordinator is Sergeant Burton Brink (818) 236-4018
Contact Information: Sgt. Burton Brink - 818-248-3464, blbrink@lasd.org
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Rescue Personnel bringing up victim. Photo by Dep. Mike Leum
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