When they learned that their two friends had not returned home by about 10:30 a.m., the search was launched.According to witnesses, Acosta and the juvenile friend were possibly delayed due to the juvenile receiving a knee injury while hiking.A rescue command post was set up at Thomas Aquinas College and Sheriff’s Copter 8, staffed with a pilot and two rescue specialists, responded using night vision equipment. After an intensive air search of the area the area the victims were located in the backcountry at about 1:30 a.m.A team of volunteer Ojai search and rescue ground personnel were directed to where Acosta and the juvenile had been located and assisted the two out of the canyon.The juvenile was found to be in good condition but complained of a knee injury and requested that he seek his own medical treatment. Acosta was not injured.
Santa Paulans rescued after one injured near Devil’s Punch Bowl
May 14, 2004
Santa Paula News
Two Santa Paulans can thank high-tech in their rescue from the rugged Devil’s Punch Bowl last week.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTwo Santa Paulans can thank high-tech in their rescue from the rugged Devil’s Punch Bowl last week.The incident got started on Monday, May 3, at about 11:50 p.m. when the Ventura County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Aviation Unit (VCSDSRAU) was dispatched to find an injured hiker in the Santa Paula Canyon area.According to VCSDSRAU Sgt. Tim Hagel, initial reports were that a 16-year-old hiker had been injured in the popular area of Los Padres National Forest north of Santa Paula.Fellow hikers reported to the VCSD that earlier in the day, while enjoying the Santa Paula Canyon area as a group, they had separated from their friends, Ricardo Acosta, 21, and 16-year-old juvenile, at about 3:30 p.m.
