Cave Rescue in Boulevard 

October 23, 2023 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that a woman is recovering from minor injuries after being stuck in a cave in East County.

It happened on Saturday, October 21 on McCain Valley Road in Boulevard. The area is known as Thunder Canyon Caves.

The woman was traversing a narrow opening within the cave when she got stuck in a gap about 12 inches wide. Her friends tried to dislodge her, but could not get her out so they eventually called for help just before 6:00 p.m.

Deputies with the Sheriff’s Rural Division and volunteers with the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Division responded to the scene. Mutual aid was also requested from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and a cave rescue team with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

It takes hours to hike into the caves and rescuers had to inch their way into very narrow passages while slowly passing along their gear and equipment. They checked on the patient and kept her warm with blankets to prevent hypothermia. They used roping mechanisms to extricate the woman and she was rescued out of the cave on Sunday around 10:00 a.m.

A CAL FIRE helicopter airlifted the woman to a safe area where a waiting ambulance treated her for exhaustion, scrapes, and bruises.

We want to thank our SAR Volunteers, as well as partners at Cal OES, CAL FIRE and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in helping with this rescue.

Here are few safety reminders when caving:

• Never go caving alone.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll return.
• Stay on the trail if one exists.
• Pay attention on your route.
• Watch out for tight crevices, low ceiling, uneven footing, and other hazards.
• Wear proper clothing and shoes.
• Bring light sources.
• Even though there is no cell service in a cave, it is important to take a fully charged phone so you can call for help as soon as you’re outside.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department