Copter 3 performs a hoist rescue from a deep canyon overlooking Cuyama Valley

The Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue team rescued two hikers in the New Cuyama area after an overnight search that ended Saturday morning at 8 a.m. The wife of one of the hikers — who were two men, age 59 and 66 — called 911 at 7 p.m. on Friday evening after her husband and his friend had not returned home from a day hike near McPherson Peak.

The Search and Rescuer all-volunteer team responded to Aliso Park — located five miles southwest of New Cuyama — after Sheriff’s deputies located the car the pair had arrived in, but were unable to find the men nearby. After searching all through the night, rescuers found the men uninjured in deep brush on a slope. Fire paramedics also responded to the scene. Despite experiencing icy temperatures all night, the two were in good condition, according to a statement released by Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kelly Hoover. In an effort to save time, the hikers said they went off the trail and ended up in the hazardous area without overnight gear.

Air Support Unit’s Copters 2 and Copter 3 assisted in the operation. Copter 2 had to discontinue its search due to snowfall, and Copter 3 transported both hikers and search and rescue officers out of the area.

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