• Four Saved From American River Canyon - 1995
The Foot and Swiftwater teams extricated four people from the steep American River canyon on Friday, March 3, 1995, after their raft flipped over.
The four rafters started down the American River Friday afternoon. Heavy rains had pushed the river high and fast (about 5000 cfs). Above Weber Creek a wave turned the raft sideways. Before the paddlers could straighten it out, a second wave flipped the raft over.
The rafters quickly became separated in the turbulence. Clinging to an ice chest, a man and a woman reached a dry spot near Weber Creek, but were stranded there by the high water. Two other men were swept downstream a half mile onto the rocky banks. Although they tried to hike downstream, they became stranded when night fell.
The cries of the two on the island eventually caught the attention of passers-by far above, who called 911. Patrol deputies and CHP helicopter H20 responded, and summoned the search and rescue team. Even after dark the helicopter could see both groups with its infrared camera. Although no one appeared to be seriously hurt, rescuers were worried about hypothermia; it was in the low 40's or colder. Helicopter rescue was impossible because there was no LZ, and H20 carries no winch.
To reach the stranded pair, Swiftwater and 4WD teams started four-wheeling into the canyon, but ended up hiking the rest of the way. After assessing the situation, they started setting up the shore rigging for a boat rescue, while deputies kept throwing road flares to the couple to help warm them up (and, scoring a bullseye on the very first throw, bonked one of the subjects right on the head). Once the boat was ready, rescuers were able to reach the subjects and brought them to shore one at a time. By 5:00 a.m. both people were hiking back to the SAR vehicles for the ride out.
Meanwhile, two 4WD units, a foot team and a dog handler had made a long drive to the other side of the river to try and reach the other two rafters. From the end of a remote dirt road at the canyon edge, the foot team and dog handler descended into the canyon on foot, while 4WD teams searched for a passable vehicle trail. Foot access was extremely difficult thanks to mud, rocks, steep slopes and impenetrable brush. Even at the water's edge where there was less brush, searchers still needed both hands along the steep and rocky river's edge.
By this time the helicopter had left, and searchers were not sure where the pair were. But about 5 a.m. the team heard someone responding to their shouts and whistles. Minutes later they discovered the two rafters huddled cold and hungry in the dark. They were extremely grateful for the jackets, food and water offered by the searchers.
There was initial concern that one of subjects was not only recovering from knee surgery, but had fallen and hit his back. However, examination showed no injuries and the subject declared himself perfectly fit and eager to get going.
So, after full daylight arrived, the team led the two straight up the side of the canyon via gullies and deer trails, once again battling rocks, mud and brush. About 8 a.m. they at last emerged on top, where the subjects' and the waiting families held an impromptu, heartfelt reunion.
The two men and their families could not express their gratitude enough. They clearly felt that the all-night work by the SAR volunteers had turned a potential tragedy into a happy ending. They were grateful enough to write this letter to the Mountain Democrat:
'We would like to take a moment to thank the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, Search and Rescue Team, and the California Highway Patrol helicopter crew.
After becoming stranded on the South Fork of the American River these women and men risked their lives to save ours. Working as a team these people were able to find us, assess our situation and to bring us safety.
Accidents happen and it is nice to know that there are people out there who care enough about others to help in every way possible.
Also, we would like to thank the gentleman who took the time to find out why we were yelling and to call 911. Without his help our rescue would have been much more difficult. Thanks also from the parents of the boys who stayed with them through the whole ordeal informing them of everything through their newly purchased scanner.
Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Mike Nicholson, Heather Sullivan, Prescott Nicholson, and Rodney Thompkin, Auburn, California'
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