A rebbi was dramatically rescued Monday evening after becoming lost and injured while hiking with his talmidim in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, prompting a large-scale search involving ground crews and air units.

The group had set out on the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon Park. According to those involved, the rebbi began feeling unwell before the hike and told the bochurim he would remain near the trailhead while they continued on.

When the bochurim returned, however, the rebbi was nowhere to be found.

Realizing something was wrong—and with no cell phone service in the remote area—they were unable to contact him or immediately call for help. Once authorities were notified, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department launched an extensive search, dispatching its Urban Search and Rescue Team along with aerial units.

After more than four hours of searching, and just before sunset, a ground rescue team located the missing rebbi.

Authorities determined that he had fallen and suffered only minor scrapes and injuries. Due to the difficult terrain, the Sheriff’s Department decided the safest way to evacuate him was by helicopter hoist.

Video from the scene shows the rebbi being hoisted to safety alongside a rescue crew member.

The successful rescue brought a tense ordeal to a grateful conclusion after hours of uncertainty.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)