[Update: Monday, 1:30 p.m.] The four hikers rescued from Malibu Creek State Park have been cited for Unsafe Recreation Activities, according to LASD Captain Mike Parker. The California Code of Regulations states that their citation, CCR T-14 4319, comes from endangering “the safety of persons, property, resources, or [interfering] with visitor activities.” The citations carry fines of $400 per hiker, according to Malibu SAR.
Authorities completed a harrowing nine-hour mission amid dangerous, wet conditions in Malibu Creek State Park on Saturday night, safely rescuing four stranded hikers.
The rescue effort began at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, as Malibu and surrounding areas were being hit by heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and high surf.
“After several days of torrential rains, we were shocked that anyone would have gone out hiking, let alone in an area with water rushing in excess of 20 MPH and rapids similar to those found on the Colorado River,” said Malibu Search and Rescue Capt. David Katz.
The hikers, three men and one woman who hailed from Long Beach and ages ranged from 25 to 26, phoned 911 saying they had become trapped near a rock pool due to the Malibu Creek’s rising water level.
More than 30 officials from the Malibu Search and Rescue Team, LA County Fire, Ventura County Fire, LA County Sheriff’s Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the area, facing extremely poor visibility and wet weather.Â
“Rescuers arrived to see the ‘rock pool’ looking like they had never seen before. The water level had reached epic proportions and the speed at which the water was flying through the rock formations was tremendously dangerous. Rescuers realized that if anyone fell into the rushing water, they likely would not survive,” according to Katz.
Initial attempts to use a helicopter to spot the hikers failed due to a low ceiling for the helicopter near a sheer rock wall. Rescuers had to use rafts and travel by foot, “inching” toward the hikers over several hours. A last message exchanged with the hikers before their cell phone batteries died told authorities that none of them had injuries and could see rescuers’ lights, according to Sheriff’s spokesperson Mike Parker.
“While rescuers could initially see the hikers’ flashlight, after a few hours, the flashlight died and the rescuers were essentially blind to the [hikers’] exact location,” Katz said.
By 1:30 a.m., temperatures in the area had dipped into the mid-40s and officials worried about the hikers coming down with hypothermia. Rescuers blew whistles in an effort to connect with the hikers sooner, but torrential downpour and creek flow drowned out the sounds.
Finally, around 2:30 am. when rains lightened up, a second attempt to get a helicopter into the area was successful. The Ventura County chopper immediately spotted the hikers, who were about 200 yards upstream from where rescuers on the ground were located at that point. The hikers were finally hoisted out of the gorge two at a time and flown to a nearby landing area where an ambulance and medics awaited. The hikers were later safely released.
