For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1600024 |
| Date Issued: | Apr 06, 2016 - 1:02pm |
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Washoe County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue teams locate missing, elderly bicyclist in Mt. Rose Wilderness |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Search and Rescue volunteers successfully located and rescued a 72-year-old man who wrecked his mountain bike off a trail in the Mt. Rose Wilderness late Tuesday evening.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, Washoe County Sheriff's Office dispatch received a call from the victim who said he had also become disoriented and lost.
Volunteers with the Sheriff's HASTY Team, Washoe County Search & Rescue, and Specialized Vehicle Unit responded to a gravel road on Mt. Rose Highway approximately 1 mile east of Sunridge Drive and began a search of the area.
The subject was located within 30 minutes and was assessed by REMSA Search & Rescue Paramedics on scene. Other than being cold, hungry and tired, it was determined that the subject was unharmed but, based on his age and the steepness of the terrain, would need assistance back to the trailhead. Extreme caution and the safest route were incorporated into the evacuation which took approximately four hours. After which, the subject was happily reunited with his wife.
With the advent of warmer weather and the subsequent increase in outdoor recreation, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office reminds anyone who is planning on travelling in backcountry or wilderness areas to always carry the "10 Essentials" with them in case of an unexpected overnight stay in the backcountry.
The "10 Essentials"
1. Appropriate footwear.
2. Map and compass/GPS.
3. Extra water.
4. Extra food.
5. Rain gear and extra clothing.
6. Safety items: fire, light, and a whistle.
7. First aid kit.
8. Knife or multi-purpose tool.
9. Sun screen and sun glasses.
10. Daypack/backpack.
Search and Rescue volunteers also encourage anyone who feels they are lost in the wilderness to stay put and don't hesitate to ask for help. Every step a person takes and every moment of hesitation increases the search area exponentially.
Washoe County Search and Rescue is a self-funded, volunteer organization. The reason these volunteers do what they do is because they want to successfully aid people in trouble. For more information about Washoe County Search and Rescue, visit washoesar.org.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.