Sonora, CA…Sunday evening, members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team were actively searching in the area of East Bald Mountain Road in Sonora, in response to a recent report, regarding a possible sighting of missing person Barbara Crosby that had occurred earlier in the weekend.

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While conducting the search, SAR members spoke with residents in the area and received multiple reports of a dog matching the description of Poncho, Barbara’s dog, having been seen earlier in the day (Sunday).

Around 9:00 PM, as deputies and SAR members, with the assistance of mutual aid agencies, were planning search operations for the following day, they received another report from residents who had just seen the dog—later confirmed to be Poncho. Deputies and SAR members responded to the area near East Bald Mountain Road, where the resident described the direction the dog had run—off the roadway and into the woods.

SAR members hiked approximately 70 feet down an embankment and began searching. Soon after, they located Poncho under some brush. A short distance away, they found Barbara asleep on the ground.

Due to the steep terrain and dense vegetation, SAR members used a stokes litter and rope system to safely extract Barbara. Once brought back up to the roadway, she was transferred to medics and transported to the hospital.
**** While at the scene, Poncho ran off before he could be safely secured and may still be in the area. Please be on the lookout for him! (Pictured in the comments) ****

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the effort to locate Barbara—including Calaveras County SAR, CalOES, Marin County SAR, Nevada County SAR, and CHP–Sonora for their mutual aid assistance with searching and planning; Sonora City Fire, Mono Village Fire personnel, and Tuolumne Manteca District Ambulance medics who assisted with the on-scene rescue; Skyline Place staff for their active support throughout the incident; and the members of our community who shared information, communicated with search teams, and contributed to search efforts. Your support played a vital role in bringing her home safely.

And a special thank you to Poncho, whose loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her—truly the unsung hero of this rescue.

The attached video clip shows the rescue efforts. See less