A 38-year-old man was located and rescued early Monday morning after being separated from another hiker on the Pleasants Ridge trail in Northern Solano County.
According to a press release from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Richard Kirby was reported missing at about 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. Soon after, Solano County Office of Emergency Services mobilized numerous off-road vehicles with its Search and Rescue team, and a group of 30 volunteers from Solano, Contra Costa and Napa counties. The California Rescue Dog Association, as well as CHP aircrafts performing ariel searches, helped in the efforts to locate Kirby.
Sgt. Brian Travis of the Solano County Sheriff’s Office initially led the response for the search. Through use of a portable radio repeater, a Sheriff’s deputy was able to make voice contact with Kirby, who reported being okay, but was stuck in the brush by the Putah Creek.
According to the press release, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office staff reached Kirby by inflatable boat shortly after midnight; searchers were not able to get to him by foot because of the rough terrain. With the aid of the search team, Kirby, who was found just feet away from the creek, was able to walk out from being entangled in a blackberry bush. He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for dehydration.
