The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Search and Rescue Team was activated late last night after a woman reported to that her boyfriend was more than 3 days overdue in returning from a planned hiking trip in the Warm Springs Mountain area of the Angeles National Forest. The hiker, Donald Lee, age 60, of Lake Hughes had set out alone on a planned 3 day hike on Friday, June 19, 2009, and was scheduled to return Sunday. He had a cell phone conversation with his girlfriend on Sunday indicating that he had injured his knee, but was able to lighten his pack and continue hiking. That was the last contact with him. His girlfriend became concerned when he did not return and she has not been able to contact him.
After receiving the call, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team, comprised of an elite group of volunteers, formed and trained to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in search and rescue operations, converged on the area after 11:00 p.m. last night.
The operation has continued throughout the night and at first light this morning a helicopter from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau was brought into the area to assist in the search. Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Off-Road Motorcycle Team also geared up this morning and headed to the area to assist in the search.
After a countywide search and rescue notification was issued, additional resources from throughout Los Angeles County are being brought into the area to assist in the search, including deputies on all terrain vehicles from the Palmdale Sheriff's Station, and volunteer search and rescue members from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station - Montrose Search and Rescue Team. The Sheriff Department's Emergency Services Detail has also been notified.
Searchers are focusing their efforts on a 30 mile radius on Warm Springs Mountain.
Anyone with information regarding this overdue hiker is asked to immediately dial 9-1-1 or contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121. Press inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Harris of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 510-1827.
The operation is continuing and there is no further information available at this time.
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source. Four other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal, Santa Clarita Valley Nonprofit News Center, and The West Ranch Beacon.
