19-Year-Old Rescued From Sherpa Fire Burn Area

Emergency personnel responded to the Sherpa Fire burn area just before 11 a.m. Wednesday where a 19-year-old man was reportedly stuck and may have possibly been there overnight, according to a U.S. Forest Service official.

A U.S. Forest Service crew working in the area reportedly heard someone yelling for help just off North Refugio Road. They discovered the 19-year-old about 150 feet below a nearby trail in thick, heavy brush, said Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni.

The Forest Service crew cut a line through the heavy brush to the unnamed 19-year-old man, who appeared semi-disoriented, according to Zaniboni.

A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s rescue helicopter hoisted the teen up and flew him to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries.

Zaniboni noted that the man’s story on how he came to rest 150 feet below the trail changed at least twice. “He said he was hiking with friends last night and they were goofing around, and he fell down the cliff,” said Zaniboni. “Then the story changed to he was hiking by himself this morning, so we’re not really sure what the story is. We’re not sure if drugs or alcohol are involved.”

No other details were immediately known. We will update this story when new information becomes available.