Deputies in Helicopter Help Rescue Suicidal Man

His ex-wife leads police to the man, found off West Camino Cielo Road

By Drew Sugars | Published on 01.28.2010

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Deputies flying a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department helicopter played a key role in finding a man believed to be attempting suicide in the mountains above Santa Barbara.

About 10 a.m. Thursday, sheriff’s office dispatch received an emergency call from the ex-wife of a suicidal man who was reported to be on West Camino Cielo Road, just east of Refugio Road.

The man had called his ex-wife and told her he had taken 20 to 30 Oxycontin pills with vodka. She said he was associated with a white pickup truck.

Two sheriff’s deputies were already flying SBSO Copter 1 in the area when the call came out. A Calstar medical helicopter also was en route.

When the sheriff’s helicopter arrived on scene, the deputies observed a state parks law enforcement pickup truck pulling up to an unoccupied white pickup truck parked on West Camino Cielo.

As the deputies circled the area from above, they saw a male adult in the brush who was down an embankment, just south of the white pickup truck. The man was not visible from the road.

Since the deputies couldn’t communicate the subject’s location to the ranger, they landed the helicopter just off the road to render immediate medical care. One of the deputies made contact with the ranger and directed him to the man.

The deputy then contacted the man and confirmed he had consumed the pills and vodka in an attempt to commit suicide.

The ranger began a medical assessment and monitoring of the man until American Medical Response paramedics, Calstar 7 and additional sheriff’s deputies arrived. AMR transported the man to a hospital for treatment.

— Drew Sugars is a public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

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» Hmmm on 01.29.10 @ 09:32 AM

I guess the suicide barrier on the bridge would not have helped much?

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» jd on 01.29.10 @ 10:53 AM

good job guys!  I am sure this man’s family and friends are very grateful for your quick action on this.

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» Erik on 01.29.10 @ 10:55 AM

Will Santa Barbara County be sending him a bill for this effort?

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» KATHY on 01.29.10 @ 11:57 AM

WOW—- WHAT AN EFFORT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE IN SAVING THIS MAN’S LIFE. INITIALLY, HE MAY NOT APPRECIATE IT, BUT DOWN THE ROAD MAYBE HE WILL LOOK BACK AND UNDERSTAND WHY GOD WASN’T READY FOR HIM TO GO. YOU ARE AWESOME. IF THIS IS WHERE MY TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE GOING…RIGHT ON!!!!

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» sbnative on 01.29.10 @ 05:41 PM

Was wondering what all the helicopter action in the hills was. Thanks Noozhawk for update. I’ll refrain from the wise use (or not) of tax dollars’s discussion. Just glad it’s not fire—or a newly released jail inmate on the rampage.

But why are they still up there at 4:45 PM????

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