LYTLE CREEK – (INT) – A Jurupa Valley man has survived a 2-day ordeal while off-roading in the snow-swept upper reaches of Lytle Creek Canyon.

Roberto Retana, 52, had intended on a 1-night camp-over last Friday but his vehicle bogged down and became stuck.

There was no cell phone service in the North Fork area. Unable to summon help, Retana spent two nights trying to stay warm as several feet of snow blanketed the area near the Taiute Campground.

Just as his vehicle’s engine ran out of gas on Monday, his cell phone picked up a signal and summoned help.

The crew on a sheriff’s rescue helicopter negotiated through occasional breaks in the storm clouds and managed to complete a ‘hover-step rescue’ of Retana. He was flown to an awaiting ambulance to be checked out.

Story Date: January 29, 2021