The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department rescued a 65-year-old man during the holidays who had been stranded for four days after driving around a locked gate in Los Padres National Forest in Southern California.
That same evening, the department’s deputy and dispatcher responded to a call from a motorist locked behind the gates. When they arrived, the motorist said there were more vehicles behind the gate.
The deputy and dispatcher searched the area for other vehicles and spotted a faint light in the distance about 10 miles away.
They drove toward the light and discovered a 65-year-old man shining a flashlight to capture their attention.
The man said that four days earlier, he drove his vehicle around the locked gate, but his car then got stuck and he wasn’t able to get out for help, according to officials.
The man also looked malnourished and was wearing wet clothing, according to the news release. The deputy and dispatcher provided him with aid and transported him out of the area.
“Were it not for the attention of the dispatcher in spotting the light, the subject may not have survived much longer with no food, no water and the forecast below freezing temperatures,” the news release said.
Two days later on Dec. 28, several deputies escorted the man back to his vehicle and helped him get it unstuck and back on the highway.
The Los Padres National Forest is located in the Grade Valley area, which is only accessible by off-road vehicles on forest service roads or trails.
The U.S. Forest Service closes the roads and trails with gates every winter to prevent motorists from becoming stuck due to the winter storms, officials said.
The area is considered remote and typically does not have cell service and is not frequently traveled, according to the news release.
