Politics & Government

Lost Navy SEAL Found on Mt. Laguna Wednesday Night

A SEAL in training failed to return and was found after dark by the Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter team.

A Navy SEAL in a training exercise on Mt. Laguna on Wednesday went missing for nearly five hours.

Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told Patch on Wednesday night that the SEAL was due to return at 3 p.m. but did not. Cal Fire dispatched two fire engine teams from Pine Valley at 7:51 p.m. to help in the search. The agency also requested the Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, and that team located the person at about 8:30 p.m.

There was no report readily available Wednesday night about the lost SEAL's condition or why he had not returned at the appointed time.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mt. Laguna is about 43 miles southeast of Ramona, via Highway 78 and county road S1. The search took place on Sunrise Highway near the Horse Heaven area, which is at approximately 5,600 feet.

SEAL stands for Sea, Air and Land team. The SEALs are part of the Navy's special operations force. Mohler said he did not know what kind of training exercise the SEAL was doing on Mt. Laguna.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Update Thursday:

Although it was reported Wednesday by authorities that the man was a SEAL, he was a sailor in training to become a SEAL, City News Service reports Thursday. The 24-year-old is recuperating from dehydration. On Wednesday night he used a strobe signalling device to attract the attention of rescuers. A San Diego Fire Rescue helicopter was brought in at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to hoist him out of an area near Big Laguna Lake and he was taken to hospital, CNS reports.


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