Technical Rope Recovery Operation Following Fatal Vehicle Accident Off Wards Ferry Road in Tuolumne County 

May 28, 2025 – Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Sunday, May 25, 2025, around 6:40 p.m. in the evening, TCSO Boating Unit deputies responded to a report of a vehicle over the embankment and a deceased man near Wards Ferry Road that a boater had discovered.  Deputies responded by boat and, once in the area of the crash site, determined Search and Rescue (SAR) would be needed to recover the involved man safely.

The following morning, deputies and SAR personnel responded to the area and began their recovery operation.  SAR personnel utilized a rope system to lower personnel and a Stokes basket approximately 350 feet down the steep terrain, successfully recovering the individual and helping to bring closure to the case for all involved.

We express our gratitude to CHP - Sonora and our always-ready Tuolumne County Sheriff's Search & Rescue for their collaboration leading to a successful mission.  

The attached UAV footage shows the SAR team as they begin their descent to the collision site.

View video here.

Source & photo: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office