A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department helicopter rescue crew on Sunday, January 10 plucked an injured mountain biker out of danger in an area of the Loma Linda South Hills that is inaccessible to ground vehicles.
Ronnie Santos, 57, of Highland was biking on the rugged trails of the wilderness between Loma Linda and the north Riverside County border when a mishap occurred.
At approximately 10 a.m., the San Bernardino County Fire Department dispatch center received a call about an injured mountain biker in the Loma Linda Hills. That call did not by name reference Santos, who was reportedly unconscious and suffering from a concussion, but made clear he was seriously injured.
In short order, Sheriff’s Air Rescue Helicopter 308, with air medics P. Peng and G. Yee aboard, was dispatched from the sheriff’s air facility at San Bernardino International Airport.
Once the helicopter reached the South Hills, with the craft hovering above the accident site, both Peng and Yee were lowered to the ground, where they did a speedy assessment of Santos and his condition. They then secured him in a basket, which was hoisted to the helicopter.
Santos was transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center, less than two-minutes away. There he was admitted into the hospital, whereupon his injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.