Sheriff's Helicopter Helps Rescues Man

Santa Barbara - January 28th, 2010

Sheriff’s Deputies flying a Sheriff’s Department Helicopter played a key role in finding a man believed to be attempting suicide in the mountains above Santa Barbara.

At approximately 10am on January 28, 2010, SBSO Dispatch received an emergency call from the ex-wife of a suicidal subject who was reported to be on West Camino Cielo Road, just east of Refugio Road. The suicidal subject had called his ex-wife and told her that he had taken 20-30 Oxycontin pills with Vodka. She said he was associated with a white pick-up truck. 

Two Sheriff’s Deputies were already flying SBSO Copter 1 in the area when the call came out. A Calstar medical helicopter was also en route.  When the Sheriff’s helicopter arrived on-scene, the Deputies observed a State Parks law enforcement pick-up truck pulling up to an un-occupied white pick-up truck parked on West Camino Cielo. As the Deputies circled the area from above, they saw a male adult in the brush that was down an embankment, just south of the white pick-up. The subject was not visible from the road.

Since the deputies could not communicate the subject's location to the State Park Ranger, they landed the helicopter just off the road to render immediate medical care. One of the Deputies made contact with the State Park Ranger and directed him to the subject.

The Deputy then contacted the subject and confirmed that he had in fact consumed Oxycontin and Vodka in an attempt to commit suicide. The State Park Ranger began a medical assessment and monitoring of the subject until American Medical Response Paramedics, Calstar 7, and additional Sheriff's Deputies arrived on-scene.  AMR transported the subject to the hospital for treatment.

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