On Sunday, December, 14th, 2014 at 1958 hours, Sheran Gertsch called the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, to report her son, Matthew, daughter-n-law, Jamie and grandchildren Logan and Hannin as overdue persons. Sheran said her son and his family failed to return after going to the French Gulch area of Shasta County to get a Christmas tree.
Sheran reported her son’s family left Redding on Sunday, 12-14-14, between 1200 hours and 1300 hours. They were supposed to be back before dark and when they did not return, Sheran called the Sheriff’s Office. Sheran was concerned and did not believe they had the right vehicle, a Chrysler Pacifica, for going to this area nor had any provisions, extra clothes or blankets.
Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Redding Patrol Division searched the French Gulch area for Matthew, his family and their vehicle. Due to increasing bad weather they were unable to locate them. Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel were called to assist.
Search and Rescue Volunteers searched the French Gulch area and many dirt roads. Search and Rescue Volunteers located Matthew, his family and their vehicle at 0415 hours on Monday, 12-15-14. They were 15 miles east of Trinity Mountain Road on Trail 27 of the Shasta Area OHV Park. Matthew and his family were uninjured.
Matthew and his family were returning to Redding after getting their Christmas tree, when they became high centered on a water bar across the road. They were unable to get their vehicle free. Matthew knew where they were at, and were going to spend the night in their car and walk out at daylight.
Search and Rescue Volunteers provided transportation for Matthew and his family back to Redding, where they were reunited with Sheran and the rest of their family.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Search and Rescue Volunteers for responding, searching, locating and returning this family safely to their loved ones. They lived up to the Search and Rescue motto, “That others may live.”
– Press Release
