Rescue Mission Turns Starry: Jay Leno & Hiker Found

The San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team set out to find a hiker lost in California's Angeles National Forest and, while successfully locating him, also had a chance encounter with Jay Leno.

On August 19, the team shared on Facebook that they had not only found the missing person but also crossed paths with Leno. They described the missing hiker, Mr. Yang, as a “very fit, experienced, and prepared 78-year-old” who had become separated from his group.

Yang was reported missing at 3 p.m. on Saturday, leading the Montrose, Sierra Madre, and Altadena search-and-rescue teams to begin the search. Despite their efforts over 12 hours, Yang was not found, so the San Dimas team joined the search on Sunday morning.

The team explained that after completing their initial task, they arrived at Newcomb’s Ranch, where Leno and his friends happened to be. Although Leno had not seen Yang, he and his group appreciated the team's work.

After eight hours of searching, the San Dimas team found Yang in good health but dehydrated after he had been lost for 30 hours. He was airlifted to safety and reunited with his family.

The team concluded their post with, “This is why we volunteer,” acknowledging that while their primary goal is rescuing lost hikers, meeting celebrities along the way is a welcome surprise.