Emergency crews rescued a 50-year-old woman from a ravine on Fiscalini Ranch Preserve on Sunday, Jan. 20. The woman, who was covered in brush and woody debris, according to rescuers, was incoherent and having breathing problems and wasn’t carrying any identification.

Martin “Omar” Garcia and his family spotted the woman in the ravine late Sunday afternoon and flagged down a couple, seeking help because they weren’t getting reception with their cell phone. David and Beth Yudovin, trained rescuers and members of the North Coast Ocean Rescue Team, used his NCOR radio to contact the Coast Guard. David Yudovin stayed with the woman until rescuers from Cambria Fire, Cambria Community Healthcare District and Cal Fire responded to the call that came in at 4:21 p.m.

The rescuers think the woman may have walked down into the ravine, rather than falling into it.
A CHP helicopter, which was in the area on its usual patrol check along the coast, transported the woman to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for evaluation and identification.

Yudovin credited the commitment of the local family and quick response of rescuers for saving the woman’s life. “They’re heroes, angels,” he said. He called the rescue “an amazing team effort,” between the family, the Yudovins, the rescuers and the helicopter crew.

Yudovin said the woman might not have survived the night in the ravine, given her condition.