SAR: San Luis Obispo County SAR search successful

Friday, April 4, 2008

SAR: San Luis Obispo County SAR search successful

SAN LUIS OBISPO HIKER FOUND - INJURED AFTER FALL - Lopez Lake area

Hiker Kent Neal has been found after two nights stranded in the wilderness near Lopez Lake.

Neal was last seen Tuesday on Hi Mountain Road, about a mile and a half south of Hi Mountain Lookout, by the American Canyon area. Search and rescue found him around 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

Kent Neal's family got the news they were looking for: he was alive and well. He is now at Sierra Vista Hospital in fair condition. His family says they never lost faith and knew he would be found.

San Luis Obispo County Search and Rescue answered the prayers of Kent Neal's family.

"We were calling his name, and then he responded to us," said search and rescue team member Dan Donnahoo.

After hours of hiking, the team found 69-year-old Neal deep in the dense wilderness off Hi Mountain Road. Neal planned to take pictures of the wildflowers. His family reported him missing when he didn't come home.

Neal's sister says they stayed strong during those uncertain hours.

"I never had any doubt that he would not be found. I felt he was injured, but I felt he was very much alive," said Neal's sister, Juanita Wells.

Arroyo Grande police says Neal fell down a steep embankment. Rescue teams, along with K-9 units and air support, found him cold, bruised, and cut, but otherwise doing well.

"There were men who gave their hat to help his hypothermia, their coat, water, and he was very grateful to them," Wells said.

Search and rescue, made up fully of volunteers, were glad the operation was a success.

"I was so surprised. It's something you always hope for, and it actually happened," said Susan Aldridge, one of the search and rescue members who found Neal.

"That's what we live for, the search and rescue, that's what we get - our reward, we're non-paid, we find them alive and sound," said search and rescue captain Jon Wordsworth.

Lost, and now found - his family, ready to bring him back home.

Neal is an avid outdoorsman, who hikes anywhere from 10 to 20 miles three times a week. Neal's family says when he fully recovers, he will head out into nature once again.

The operation was an effort between San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's rescue teams and Arroyo Grande police. The family thanks all the agencies and the community for their support.

Resources: Twenty people, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department Helicopter and three K-9 dog teams.
Source: KSBY
Related article: San Luis Obispo.com -Arroyo Grande man found in Lopez Lake area after being missing for more than 24 hours

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Friday, April 4, 2008