Temecula Off-Road Motorcyclist Rescued Thanks to Personal GPS Device

A Temecula man was hoisted to safety this week, after he was injured while off-roading near Barstow.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, it all started when 63-year-old Tom Madlem crashed his motorcycle in the Hinkley area and suffered serious injuries, around 9:12 a.m. Tuesday.

“The victim activated his emergency function of his SPOT Satellite device,” sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Futscher said in a statement. “The California Office of Emergency Services was alerted to the victim’s GPS coordinates and in turn contacted Sheriff’s Volunteer Forces.”

A crew aboard the sheriff’s helicopter 40King4 immediately began an aerial search for the man, while crews on the ground also looked. At 10:16 a.m., the helicopter spotted Madlem at the exact GPS coordinates provided, Futscher said.

“Based on the extent of his injuries and his remote location, the crew decided to conduct an offsite landing in Hinkley to pick up a paramedic from Barstow City Fire and fly him to the victim,” he said.

The helicopter then landed in the remote desert area, and Paramedic Robert Cline helped stabilize the injured man.

Futscher— who was aboard the helicopter— helped the paramedic and Corporal Mike Gilley carry the Temecula man to the aircraft.

“The crew then flew the victim back to Hinkley, where a waiting ambulance transported him to Barstow Community Hospital for treatment, Futscher said.

Futscher said Madlem had been camping in the area by himself.