Glenn County Observer
Two brothers who were reported missing were found lost, stranded and separated from each other in the Mendocino National Forest late last week.
At about 4:29 p.m. on Friday, January 10, Apple SOS Emergency reported receiving an SOS from Alan Campos-Rodriguez, 37, of Lakewood, Calif., stating he and his brother, Ivan Campos-Rodriguez, 33, also of Lakewood, Calif., were stranded in their vehicle (a Toyota Rav4) in the Mendocino National Forest.
They had gotten stuck in a water crossing.
A records check revealed that both had been reported as missing persons.
Glenn County Sheriff’s Sgt. Owens and Glenn County Search and Rescue responded and ultimately located Alan and the vehicle.
Both Alan and Ivan had been stranded and lost since Monday, January 6.
Furthermore, Alan and Ivan had become separated prior to Sgt. Owens’ and Search and Rescue’s arrival.
CHP was contacted and flew the area in efforts to locate Ivan, to no avail.
Search and Rescue stood by through the night and maintained the integrity of any evidence needed for a ground search.
Alan was transported to Willows to a local hotel.
On the morning of Saturday, January 11, the Glenn County Search and Rescue ground searching team deployed along with their drone team.
At approximately 2:26 p.m., Ivan found an area with cellular reception, called the sheriff’s office, and his location was obtained.
Search and Rescue responded and located Ivan, who was transported into Willows and reunited with his brother.
The Campos-Rodriguezes were traveling on non-maintained roads, using Google Maps. They were in an area where local services and cellular reception were miles away, across steep, treacherous terrains.
Glenn County Search and Rescue urges, “Please be aware of your surroundings and if you are ever traveling on non-maintained roads without a vehicle designed for such, do not risk your life or others.
“Turn around.”
The Glenn County Observer 