Cyclist Rescued from Wilderness Trail
An injured mountain biker crashed on a steep bike trail northwest of Laguna Beach’s Alta Laguna Park on Saturday and was airlifted to help by helicopter, fire officials said.
Firefighters used four-wheeled drive vehicles and hiked a half-mile carrying medical gear to reach the injured cyclist about 30 minutes after the initial 10 a.m. call. The extraction “was extremely difficult,” said Deputy Chief Jeff LaTendresse, because firefighters were lowered about 150 feet from a hovering helicopter to assist firefighters on the narrow, hillside trail, which eventually ends at Big Bend. “That’s one of the longest I’ve seen,” La Tendresse said of the drop.
The helicopter crew needing to circle back twice complicated the rescue. After dropping off firefighters at the trail, the helicopter landed at the park to allow a paramedic to board and then returned to hoist up the cyclist, LaTendresse said. The victim, who suffered non life-threatening injuries, was loaded into a basket and transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.
Authorities were called by a second biker who encountered the injured 46-year-old Huntington Beach man on the Telonics Bike Trail, described on trails.com as “a steep, technical downhill … You’ll need suspension, guts, skills, and perhaps a bit of body armor to make the trip.”
LaTendresse urged recreational mountain bikers to use caution, carry a cell phone and to know the names of the trails they ride.
Tuesday, Aug. 2
Traffic stop. 12:04 a.m. Pearl St. A 43-year-old Laguna Niguel woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 1:19 a.m. Anita St. A 28-year-old La Cresenta man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Public intoxication. 2:10 a.m. Austin Myles Lee, 31, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for making terrorist threats, a felony, as well as a parole violation. Bail was set at $50,000. Lee and a Laguna Niguel woman, caught having sex in the hotel pool, allegedly threatened the life of a security guard that asked them to leave. She was charged with trespassing.
Fraud. 9:53 a.m. 1000 block of Madison Pl. A man learned someone used his identity to obtain three different bank credit cards and made $5,900 in unauthorized charges.
Theft. 1:44 p.m. 200 block of Fairview Rd. A wallet and camera worth $300 was taken from an unlocked home.
DUI. 10:17 p.m. Laguna Canyon Rd. A 68-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested for DUI after other drivers reported her swerving. Bail was set at $2,500.
Wednesday, Aug. 3
Pedestrian stop. 12:48 a.m. Emerald Bay. Jorge Romero, 33, of San Francisco, was arrested for an outstanding no-bail burglary warrant.
Suspicious. 8:19 a.m. 32000 block of Coast Hwy. A 16-year-old Redlands boy was arrested for carrying an illegal combat-style knife. A witness saw him trying the door handles of seven vehicles.
Vandalism. 10:42 a.m. 200 block of Thalia St. Someone flattened a vehicle’s tires.
Fraud. 12:22 p.m. 500 block of Park Ave. Someone altered two checks that were made out for less than $90 each to two stores.
Traffic stop. 10:12 p.m. Bluebird Canyon Dr. A 45-year-old Corona del Mar woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Vandalism. Coast Hwy. Christopher Delmatto, 26, of Aliso Viejo, was arrested for suspicion of assault, vandalism and battery. A witness alleged Delmatto lobbed a beer bottle at an SUV and took a baseball bat to another car’s windshield. The witness was slugged in the face after confronting Delmatto, who had pushed a pedestrian into traffic, Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser said.
DUI. 10:13 p.m. Laguna Canyon Rd. An Aliso Viejo man, 28, was arrested for DUI and held for $10,000 bail. No further details were available.
Thursday, Aug. 4
Burglary. 9:17 p.m. Someone broke into a private ATM machine and stole $1,500.
Fraud. 12:41 p.m. 31000 block of Scenic Dr. A bank informed a resident of receiving his Florida tax return, which he did not file.
Friday, Aug, 5
Traffic stop. 2:06 a.m. Cleo St. A 21-year-old Michigan woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Grand theft. 12:21 p.m. Forest Ave. An investigation is underway to determine who took 16 one-ounce gold coins worth $24,000 from a safe.
Traffic collision. 3:55 p.m. An 82-year-old Laguna Woods man fell asleep at the wheel and collided with three parked vehicles. His wife, a passenger, suffered minor injuries.
Saturday, Aug. 6
Traffic stop. 2:22 a.m. 200 block of Diamond St. A 22-year-old from San Diego was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Petty theft. 11:26 a.m. 700 block of Coast Hwy. A swimwear shop reported the theft of merchandise worth $190.
Traffic stop. 2:49 p.m. Bluebird Canyon. A 43-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Lifeguard rescue. 5:30 p.m. Offshore Main Beach. Up to six lifeguards began towing a boat dead in the water near the surfline. An arriving Harbor Patrol vessel took over the job.
Traffic collision. 5:38 p.m. Irvine Cove. A female driver suffered a possible broken leg after crashing a golf cart.
Sunday, Aug. 7
Grand theft. 8:08 a.m. 1300 block of Circle Way. Luggage accidentally left overnight at the curb and worth $2,500 was reported missing.
Theft. 12:13 p.m. 700 Oak St. Contents worth $1,000 was taken from an unlocked car.
Battery. 4:29 p.m. 300 block of Broadway St. Oliver Steven Forrest, 60, of Escondido, was arrested for suspicion of robbery after stealing a backpack from a fellow bus rider. Bail was set at $100,000.
