Missing hiker found near Los Banos, Merced County sheriff says
A 21-year-old man who was separated from his hiking and hunting group near Los Banos for about 18 hours was found safe Sunday by Merced County authorities.
Hector Faburrieta Ramirez had been separated from his group since 6 p.m. Saturday, according to a Merced County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.
At noon on Sunday, the man was found. He was slightly dehydrated, but otherwise OK, the post said.
Deputies were called out to the Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area near San Luis Reservoir for a missing report at 2:04 a.m.
Deputies began searching for the man and were assisted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department helicopter.
The Merced County Search and Rescue team, the Fish and Wildlife department and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team all participated in the search.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office Sable 6 helicopter also assisted with the search.
