Two men rescued after being stranded down 250-foot deep California mine shaft

Daily Mail​

27-04-2025

A pair of California rappellers were rescued after they became stranded in a steep 250-foot-deep mine shaft.
The two young men became stuck in the abandoned mine near Twentynine Palms on April 19 after their equipment failed, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
A third companion, who had remained above ground, called 911 to rescue the stranded rappellers.
A video showed the operation of responding crews, who used ARVs to navigate the 'rugged terrain.'
'This is an area that, you know, there's no way you're going to get a four-wheel drive vehicle up here. You need specialized equipment,' spokesperson Shawn Millerick said in the video.
A rescuer was lowered into the mine using a dual-line rope system as night began to fall.
'We're just going to hoist them out one at a time, and then our rescuer will come up after,' Millerick said.
Both men were secured and hoisted to the surface without sustaining injuries just before 7pm.
A rescuer was lowered into the mine using a dual-line rope system as night began to fall. 'We're just going to hoist them out one at a time, and then our rescuer will come up after,' Millerick said. Both men were secured and hoisted to the surface without sustaining injuries just before 7pm
'This is an area that, you know, there's no way you're going to get a four-wheel drive vehicle up here. You need specialized equipment,' spokesperson Shawn Millerick said in the video
'We had to dispatch everybody from all different points in the county,' Millerick added.
Crews from Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley, Fontana, Lake Arrowhead and Hesperia were called to aid the rescue, according to SBCF.
Marine Corps Air Combat Center, Morongo Basin Ambulance and the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department also provided support.
'This incident demonstrates San Bernardino County Fire's readiness to respond to emergencies in even the most challenging environments,' SBCF said.