Latest news with #Wardwell
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Video: US Man Trapped Behind Waterfall For 2 Days Rescued Using Helicopter
In what the authorities have described as a "stunning survival story", a US man who was trapped behind a waterfall for two days was finally rescued using a helicopter last week. California resident Ryan Wardwell, 46, was rappelling down the cliffside at Kern River on August 10 when he fell into an open space behind the waterfall, the sheriff's office of Tulare County (TCSO) informed in a social media post. While Mr Wardwell embarked upon the hike with a group of friends, they all left before attempting the rappelling due to the waterfall's strong downpour. Though the friends retreated, they posted a message on Mr Wardwell's car, telling passers-by to report him missing if his car was still on the property by August 11. After Mr Wardwell did not return to his car, a missing person complaint was filed, and an investigation was launched, with his last whereabouts being the top of the "Seven Teacups" waterfalls. An aircraft equipped with a camera and infrared technology was pushed into action to pinpoint Mr Wardwell's location. However, the fading sunlight forced responders to retreat and pick up searching for him on August 12. Watch the viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tulare County Sheriff (@tularecountysheriff) Also Read | Brazilian Woman Married To Indian Man Shares Her Love Story: 'When You Know' After rescue teams started the search operation, a drone was used to check behind the large waterfall where Mr Wardwell was found alive and responsive. A helicopter was then used to delicately hoist Mr Wardwell up and retrieve him from behind the waterfall. "California Highway Patrol (CHP) Helicopter H-40 was called to help with the rescue operation. Once H-40 was on scene, a member of the TCSO rescue team was lowered down into the water feature, it secured Wardwell and a hoist extraction was conducted," TCSO said in a statement. After the rescue, Mr Wardwell was taken to the nearby landing zone and evaluated by the medical personnel. He was treated for minor injuries, dehydration, and soon reunited with family members. Mr Wardwell said he was surprised by the fall, having previously scaled the falls several times. As per Tulare County Sheriff's Office Captain Kevin Kemmerling, Mr Wardwell attempted to escape the waterfall, but "there was nothing he could do to break through".
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
California man trapped behind waterfall for 2 days rescued by police; here's how search ops unfolded
A California man got trapped behind a waterfall near Sequoia National Park. He was rappelling down the Seven Teacups when the water pushed him off. A search began after he didn't return. A drone located him behind a waterfall. The California Highway Patrol rescued Wardwell by helicopter. He received treatment for minor injuries and dehydration. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A man was rescued by police in California two days after he got trapped behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines. According to law enforcement officials, the man identified as Ryan Wardwell was rescued by California police using a helicopter. Wardwell, the 46-year-old man from California's Long Beach, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday (August 10, 2025) in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday (August 13, 2025), as reported by CBS News.A search and rescue operation was launched after he did not return to his car that night. Law enforcement utilized infrared technology and aircraft to attempt to locate Wardwell. The rough terrain and late hour forced officials to suspend the search until the next day.A breakthrough was achieved during the early hours on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) when a dive and rescue team used a drone to pinpoint Wardwell, according to CBS News. Police said that he was alive and responsive behind a large to police officials, he came off his rappelling lines when "the extreme hydraulics of the river" trapped him behind the cascade. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office posted a video of Wardwell's rescue on California Highway Patrol used a helicopter to hoist Wardwell to safety. Following his rescue, the man received treatment for minor injuries and dehydration, and later, he reunited with his family.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
California man trapped behind waterfall for 2 days rescued by police; here's how search ops unfolded
A man was rescued by police in California two days after he got trapped behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines. According to law enforcement officials, the man identified as Ryan Wardwell was rescued by California police using a helicopter. Wardwell, the 46-year-old man from California's Long Beach, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday (August 10, 2025) in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday (August 13, 2025), as reported by CBS News. A search and rescue operation was launched after he did not return to his car that night. Law enforcement utilized infrared technology and aircraft to attempt to locate Wardwell. The rough terrain and late hour forced officials to suspend the search until the next day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A breakthrough was achieved during the early hours on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) when a dive and rescue team used a drone to pinpoint Wardwell, according to CBS News. Police said that he was alive and responsive behind a large waterfall. According to police officials, he came off his rappelling lines when "the extreme hydraulics of the river" trapped him behind the cascade. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office posted a video of Wardwell's rescue on Facebook. Live Events The California Highway Patrol used a helicopter to hoist Wardwell to safety. Following his rescue, the man received treatment for minor injuries and dehydration, and later, he reunited with his family.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Video: Long Beach man trapped behind California waterfall for 2 days is rescued, officials say
A man trapped behind a waterfall in the Sequoia National Forest was hoisted out by helicopter after being stuck there for two days, according to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. In a video the office posted to social media on Wednesday, one deputy is seen being lowered from a helicopter into a nook behind the cascading waterfall on the Seven Teacups Trail to reach 46-year-old Ryan Wardwell of Long Beach. Wardwell embarked on the trail Sunday morning to rappel the waterfalls but was reported missing on Monday. He was last seen at the top of the waterfalls on Sunday evening, near the North Fork of the Kern River. The Sheriff's Office identified Wardwell's location using cameras and infrared technology attached to aircraft and devised a rescue plan to retrieve him by dawn the next morning. On Tuesday morning, the Sheriff's Office sent its search-and-rescue team as well as a swift-water dive team to the location. Using a drone, they found Wardwell behind the waterfall, alive and well, the office said. A helicopter from the California Highway Patrol was sent to the scene, and Wardwell was pulled out of the waterfall. Authorities said he was then flown to a landing zone nearby and treated for minor injuries and dehydration. He reunited with his family, who were also at the landing zone. Wardwell told authorities that he had come off of his rappel lines and got trapped behind the waterfall because of the intense river flow. "The TCSO Emergency Services Division reminds the public to always be aware of their environment and capabilities, especially when navigating white water rivers," the Sheriff's Office said in the post. The Seven Teacups Trail, about 4 miles long, is known for its continuous, cascading pools that resemble teacups. The trail runs along Dry Meadow Creek, which flows into the Kern River. Hiking blogs describe the trail as challenging and potentially dangerous for those who are unprepared. It can't be completed solely on foot, and hikers need rope and equipment to rappel down the canyon and to make their way back up. The American Canyoneering Assn. rates the Seven Teacups as Class 3C, which means it has flowing water with strong currents and requires intermediate technical skills. Last August, three hikers drowned while swimming in a whirlpool that unexpectedly formed at the end of the same trail. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Stunning survival': California man missing for two days rescued alive from behind a waterfall
In what authorities are calling a 'stunning survival story,' a man who was trapped behind a roaring waterfall in the Southern Sierra for two days was rescued on Tuesday. The man, identified by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office as 46-year-old Ryan Wardwell of Long Beach, had set out on Sunday in Sequoia National Forest with plans to rappel down the Seven Teacups, a series of tumbling granite waterfalls in a tributary of the Kern River north of Kernville. During periods of lower flows, the stair-step falls are a popular objective for rappellers who descend each feature via ropes and harnesses. Partway down the fall, Wardwell got stuck in a cavern behind one of the surging falls. He 'had come off his rappel lines and got trapped behind the waterfall because of the extreme hydraulics of the river,' according to a statement from the Sheriff's Office. Tulare County authorities were alerted about Wardwell being missing on Monday. After searching the river from above with an aircraft equipped with an infrared camera, they identified his 'possible location.' But 'due to the late hours of the day and technical difficulty of the area,' officials opted to wait until first light Tuesday morning to attempt a rescue. Early Tuesday, search teams were deployed to the area and were able to fly a drone behind the waterfall where Wardwell was trapped. He was 'found alive and responsive,' according to the Sheriff's Office. Next, a California Highway Patrol helicopter flew into the river canyon and lowered a rescuer on a hoist cable down into the cavern where Wardwell was stuck. The rescuer secured the stranded man onto the hoist cable and the helicopter was able to extract him safely. He emerged with 'only minor injuries and dehydration,' according to the Sheriff's Office. In the wake of the incident, Tulare County authorities want to remind 'the public to always be aware of their environment and capabilities, especially when navigating white water rivers.'
