Crime & Safety

Missing Mountain Biker Located after 12-Hour Overnight Search

A 49-year-old man from Burbank was lost in the Cleveland National Forest, about 10 miles east of the San Juan Capistrano.

A search and rescue team, at the tail end of a 12-hour overnight search, today found a missing mountain biker who was lost in the Cleveland National Forest, about 10 miles east of the San Juan Capistrano city limits.

The biker, a 49-year-old man from Burbank, was located at 8 a.m. uninjured with minor scrapes and cuts, said Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.

About noon Saturday, the missing biker became separated from his riding partner as they rode the San Juan Trail from the Blue Jay Campground to the Ortega Fire station, Hallock said.

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After searching for several hours, the riding partner contacted the Sheriff’s Department and a search began immediately. Approximately 10 to 15 search and rescue team members searched on foot throughout the night with sheriff’s Air Support.

The missing biker was eventually located today in an area off the trail, approximately three miles east of the Ortega Fire/Ranger station.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

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