Dehydrated child, 10, family rescued from Pacific Crest Trail

A Sunnyvale family of four had to seek rescue from the Truckee Fire Department and California Highway Patrol when their youngest child became so ill from dehydration that she could no longer walk.

Father Kent Johnson and mother Patricia Johnson were on a four-day backpacking trip with their two daughters on the Pacific Crest Trail near Paradise Lake on Thursday when Adele, the younger of the two, became extremely nauseous and weak. She was dehydrated and had possibly ingested contaminated water, said CHP officer Matt Calcutt.

Recognizing Adele needed help, Kent Johnson hiked out Thursday night and kept walking until he could call the Truckee Fire Command, which then called California Highway Patrol Helicopter 24, according to a CHP news release. The helicopter went out Friday morning in search for the family, and found Patricia Johnson and the two daughters 5 miles away from the coordinates they were given. The family had wandered off of their original route, Calcutt said.

The helicopter was able to land near the family and officers provided medical care to Adele, according to the release. Adele was taken alone to the command post at Truckee Tahoe airport, where she met her father and sought urgent care. Patricia and second daughter Lily were picked up on a second trip.

“Travel with a map and a compass and know how to use it,” Calcutt said. “Be prepared for the elements, be prepared to treat water with a filter. Know where you’re going.”