Latest news with #TulareCountySheriff
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Fox News
California man rescued by helicopter after spending two days trapped behind waterfall
A 46-year-old man was rescued by helicopter after he was trapped for two days behind a waterfall in California. Ryan Wardwell of Long Beach was planning to rappel the Seven Teacups waterfalls Sunday evening but became trapped after the water's strong hydraulics forced him off his climbing lines, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. On Monday, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office received a report of a missing man who had last been seen at the top of the waterfall and had not returned to his car. This prompted police to launch an extensive search of the area, using aircraft equipped with infrared technology and cameras. However, the rough terrain and late hour delayed the search until the next morning, law enforcement said. Early Tuesday morning, a dive and rescue team began a search, and a drone discovered Wardell was alive and responsive behind a large waterfall, according to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. "He had come off his rappel lines and got trapped behind the waterfall because of the extreme hydraulics of the river," according to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. The California Highway Patrol was called in and used a helicopter to bring the climber to safety. Wardwell was treated for dehydration and minor injuries before being reunited with relatives, police said. "The TCSO Emergency Services Division reminds the public to always be aware of their environment and capabilities, especially when navigating white-water rivers," a news release states. In a similar incident earlier this month, rescuers helped a hiker who fell approximately 25 feet onto rocks at Big Falls, located near Forest Falls in the San Bernardino Mountains. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Fox News
California man rescued after two days trapped behind waterfall
A 46-year-old man was rescued by a helicopter after he was trapped for two days behind a waterfall in California. (Credit: Tulare County Sheriff's Office)
CBS News
20 hours ago
- CBS News
Man rescued by helicopter after 2 days trapped behind California waterfall
California police used a helicopter to rescue a man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines, law enforcement officials said. Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. He never returned to his car that night, prompting a search that led law enforcement to use infrared technology and aircraft to try to find Wardwell. The rough terrain and late hour forced officials to suspend the search until the next day. It was early Tuesday when a dive and rescue team used a drone to pinpoint Wardwell, who was alive and responsive behind a large waterfall, police said. He came off his rappelling lines when "the extreme hydraulics of the river" trapped him behind the cascade, police said. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office posted video of Wardwell's rescue on Facebook. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with Wardwell and the sheriff's office. The California Highway Patrol used a helicopter to hoist Wardwell to safety. He was treated for minor injuries and dehydration and reunited with family.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Washington Post
California man rescued after being trapped for 2 days behind waterfall
California police used a helicopter to rescue a man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines, law enforcement official said. Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Associated Press
California man rescued after being trapped for 2 days behind waterfall
California police used a helicopter to rescue a man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines, law enforcement official said. Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said. He never returned to his car that night, prompting a search that led law enforcement to use infrared technology and aircraft to try to find Wardwell. The rough terrain and late hour forced officials to return the next day to continue seeking Wardwell, police said. It was early Tuesday when a dive and rescue team used a drone to pinpoint Wardwell, who was alive and responsive behind a large waterfall, police said He came off his rappelling lines when 'the extreme hydraulics of the river' trapped him behind the cascade, police said. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with Wardwell and the sheriff's office. The California Highway Patrol used a helicopter to hoist Wardwell to safety. He was treated for minor injuries and dehydration and reunited with family. Video released by the sheriff's office shows the police chopper — its blades stirring up spray from the cascading creek — dropping a rescuer attached to a line down to the falls, with both being hoisted back up. The Seven Teacups is a popular outdoor recreational area, made up by the cascades of the Dry Meadow Creek forming distinctive pools along their route to the North Fork of the Kern River. Guide sites warn people about the difficulty of the terrain and say not to try it without proper gear and extensive experience.
