3 Deputies Rescued 12 Hours After Crash
Three San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies were rescued Wednesday morning after their helicopter crashed into a mountain more than 12 hours earlier, forcing the crew to spend a cold night in the wreckage awaiting help.
The three had only minor injuries. They were identified as Deputy Terry Mullen, Deputy Jason Hendrix and Sgt. Anne Henson.
The helicopter crashed Tuesday evening as it approached a fog bank, a sheriff’s spokesman said. The pilot tried to maneuver through the fog, became disoriented and struck the mountainside, according to the department.
The deputies were investigating a stolen or abandoned vehicle. Through the night, they maintained radio contact with their rescuers, who had to traverse brush so thick that at times they had to maneuver on their hands and knees, the spokesman added.
The helicopter’s emergency radio signal helped pinpoint the craft’s location.
The three were finally plucked to safety by another helicopter shortly after daybreak.
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