Missing hiking couple rescued out of Santa Paula Canyon

An Ojai couple’s Memorial Day Weekend camping trip was extended after they got lost in the Los Padres National Forest and required the Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit to rescue them Tuesday afternoon.

The middle-aged couple says they left Thursday to go camping in the Last Chance Trail in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County.

They parked their car at Thomas Aquinas College and hiked down the trail. Their Memorial Day Weekend trip was supposed to last until Monday but they did not show up to work they were reported missing Tuesday morning.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit was sent to look for the couple near the Santa Paula Canyon. The helicopter crew flew the length of the Last Chance Trail eventually finding the couple near the punch bowl area.

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Crews hoisted 22-feet down and rescued the couple and flew them to Thomas Aquinas College to be checked and treated. According to the Air Unit’s twitter, the couple was “tired, hungry, and thirsty, but [required] no medical attention.”

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Sergeant Don White with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit says Last Chance Trail is recommended for experienced hikers.

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