According to a news release, 31-year-old Brandon Henson traveled to Coldwater Canyon on Tuesday to go off-roading. As he drove on the trail, his vehicle became disabled in about four feet of snow, which continued to fall in the area.
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Henson tried to dig his vehicle out but was unsuccessful, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said. He was able unable to place a phone call for help due to poor cellular reception.
At about 1 a.m. Wednesday, Henson was able to send a text message to his girlfriend, notifying her that he was stranded in a remote area.
"No further communication was established with Henson and limited information was available on his whereabouts," the news release said. Shortly after 5:30 a.m., the sheriff's dispatch center received a 911 call from Henson's girlfriend.
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Deputies from the sheriff's Fontana station responded to assist in the search effort, but the heavy snowfall prevented patrol vehicles from reaching the isolated area.
A sheriff's helicopter was summoned to the area and aviation deputies located Henson with his vehicle.
"The crew of 40 King 1 confirmed the area was inaccessible by ground units and Henson would need to be rescued from the location based on current snow conditions," the statement said.
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The helicopter landed in a nearby location and made contact with the stranded driver, who was uninjured.
Henson was then airlifted to the sheriff's training academy, located near Glen Helen Raceway.