Puerto Vallarta Firefighters Rescue Senior Lost in the Mountains NotiVallarta
go to original July 20, 2013

After six days of being lost in the mountains, at last Mr. José Refugio Palomera Reglas was united with his family, thanks to the prompt intervention of the Fire Department and Municipal Civil Protection of Puerto Vallarta.

The senior had left the family home in Del Toro, as reported by his son, saying he was going to his ranch, El Guajuco, located in the ejido area of Puerto Vallarta about five hours into the mountains.

As he was looking for lost cows and stopped to rest, he dismounted from his mule which suddenly kicked him, causing an injury to his back.

Due to the injury, walking was complicated. He was looking for a way back home until at one point he slipped and fell on a small cliff overlooking the river.

At night, the family of Don Refugio became concerned because he had not returned, so the next morning his son went to look for him. "I went to the ranch (the Guajuco) and when he was not there, I started to look for him among the places that he used to go, but it became dark and I still couldn't find him. So, I went home and the next morning (Friday) called the Firefighters to help in the search with no results on that day."

On Saturday and Sunday, the search was continued by the Firefighters with the help of some friends of his father, Mr. Ernesto Callejas and his sons Antonio and Arturo Callejas, who walked the hill up to the course of the Cuale River and it was not until Monday at noon when he was found. "He was on some rocks and unable to move because of injuries from the fall and the kick from his mule, but he was alive."

That evening, a brigade consisting of eight Firefighters and Civil Protection personnel arrived at midnight to the Cuale River area to complete the rescue and began the walk back with the man in tow.

They climbed mountains, crossed the river and finally reached San Pedro where another crew led by Sergio Ramírez López, head of the agency, was waiting with a Rino type vehicle which took the wounded man to the ambulance while the rescuers returned in two trucks and ATVs.

Mr. José Refugio Palomera Reglas was hospitalized for tests and rehydration because it was three days without food or water consumption, but he remains in acceptable health conditions.

Thanks to our Puerto Vallarta Firefighters, Civil Protection and community volunteers, José Refugio Palomera Reglas is back with his family.

Translated and edited by Team Angels

  Learn about Bomberos de Puerto Vallarta