Location: Frog Meadows near California Hot Springs

Incident Date: 10-19-14

Incident Time: 1900

Case Number: 14-13190

Victim: Grace Abruzzo, Nicholas Abruzzo

Posted by: Media Relations

On 10-19-14 at approx. 1900 hours the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department was made aware of two lost hikers in the Frog Meadow area near California Hot Springs.  The two missing persons had been hiking in the area and became lost.  Search and Rescue efforts were launched to locate the two hikers, which are both adults.  A night search was begun by Sheriff’s Department personnel, tracking the two from their insertion point.  At daybreak additional personnel joined the efforts to locate the hikers.  California Highway Patrol assisted with use of their helicopter which combed the area.  The hikers were located, but the helicopter could not safely land due to the rough terrain and foliage.  The two were instructed to stay put, and efforts were re-routed to their direction.   

10-20-14 at approx. 1300 hours, the two hikers were located and contacted by Search and Rescue team members.  Both hikers were uninjured, and were provided food and water.  The two were then escorted out of the wilderness by Sheriff’s Department personnel, and returned to their vehicle safely.