Pinecrest, CA…From the Tuolumne Sheriff’s Dept…”Sunday night, Tuolumne County Search & Rescue personnel responded to the Snow Park off Hwy 108 for a report of two lost snowmobiles. Three people, two men and one woman, left out of the Snow Park riding two snowmobiles yesterday at around 1 PM. Their plan was to ride to Dardanelle and back, staying on Highway 108. About 2 hours into the ride, the party became separated and one man continued ahead at a higher speed. The other two people, who were riding together; became stuck in the snow near Eagle Meadows road. The woman, identified as Lynette Johnson, 37 years old, began walking back to the Snow Park alone. Johnson was eventually picked up by another citizen on a snowmobile and was given a ride back to the Snow Park. A 911 call was placed to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office asking for assistance.

The first man, identifed as Carlos Zuniga, 43 years old, began walking east on 108 looking for his two friends. Zuniga began getting muscle cramps and became tired. He called 911 and was able to reach Calaveras County 911 who notified us of the situation. Tuolumne County Search and Rescue responded to the Snow Park location as well as the CHP helicopter, H40. With H40’s assistance, at about 10:30 PM, Zuniga was located, picked up and flown to Columbia Airport.

In the meantime, the SAR team was out on snowmobiles searching for the second man, identified as Brett New, 47 years old. New was located by SAR about an hour after Zuniga was rescued. It was discovered that New had gone off the road and was approximately thirty feet down the hill. The SAR members were able to rescue New and retrieve his snowmobile. SAR personnel and New arrived back at the Snow Park at around 1:00 AM. None of the individuals were injured during the incident but all three were very cold.

Please make sure when traveling in unfamiliar areas to always stay together as a group. Dress appropriately for the weather and plan ahead for worst case contingencies occurring. We are so very thankful that all three people were located unharmed.

Thank you Sgt. Hunt, Tuolumne County Search & Rescue, CHP helicopter H40 and to the Pinecrest Fire Department for being on standby as an assist if needed.”