Search and Rescue - Mutual Aid
June 24, 2023 - Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that early in the morning of June 17th, the Sierra County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a missing at-risk adult female in the Gold Lake basin area of Sierra County. Sierra County began searching for the person and requested mutual aid on June 18th.
The Monterey County Sheriff's received a mutual aid request from California's Office of Emergency Services and immediately sent a SAR Team to assist in the search effort. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team was on scene assisting within 12 hours.
After 2 days of being exposed to the harsh elements, Helen Freesh was located alive by a California National Guard helicopter near Gold Lake in Sierra County. Helen was suffering from dehydration and exposure and airlifted to a Reno Nevada hospital where she was reunited with family.
Search and rescue teams from all over Northern California, the Bay Area and Washoe County Nevada responded to Sierra County's request. It is truly a team effort!
Source & photos: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
