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Report: Firefighter Who Died On Backpacking Trip Had Alcohol, Drug In His System
CBSLA.com) ^ | August 1, 2014 5:25 PM

Posted on 08/01/2014 9:26:44 PM PDT by BenLurkin

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Arcadia firefighter who fell from a cliff while searching for his dog on a camping trip had alcohol and ecstasy in his system, according to toxicology reports released on Friday by the Ventura County Coroner’s Office.

On June 13, Mike Herdman had ventured up into the rugged terrain of Sespe Wilderness with fellow firefighter Taylor Byars.

While huddled around a campsite, Herdman’s dog, Duke, went missing. Herdman ran off barefoot to chase after Duke, wearing only board shorts and a T-shirt, but never came back.

Byars searched for his friend for nearly two days before he made his way out of the wilderness and reported his friend missing.

The 36-year-old’s disappearance set off a two-week search in the Los Padres National Forest.

His body was found on June 27 about 1,200 feet above his campsite after he had apparently fallen from a cliff.

Herdman’s death was ruled accidental, caused by blunt-force injury.


TOPICS: Local News
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B>credit: Herdman Family)
1 posted on 08/01/2014 9:26:45 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

The dog was found alive.


2 posted on 08/01/2014 9:43:46 PM PDT by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: Moonman62

Alcohol and ecstasy in his bloodstream. Gay firefighters?


3 posted on 08/01/2014 9:58:16 PM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: BenLurkin

I heard the news reports for days, all which portrayed the man as a “saint.” But why would the guy go after a dog bare footed? Was the dog worth dying for? Something does not make sense.


4 posted on 08/01/2014 10:04:57 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: BenLurkin

Not surprising


5 posted on 08/01/2014 10:10:13 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: BenLurkin

Sad but, a friend and me fell over a 30 foot embankment, while we ran, racing each other and a bit tipsy.

Of course, it had just snowed and we landed in a big pile of snow dust, laughing our butts off.


6 posted on 08/01/2014 10:48:06 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: Vendome

“His body was found on June 27 about 1,200 feet above his campsite after he had apparently fallen from a cliff.”

Either they meant “below” his campsite, or he had gone on quite the adventure looking for his dog. A friend of mine back in college was out camping. They were eating some pyschodelic mushrooms around the campfire at night. One of the guys freaked out - said the trees were waving and coming after him.

He took off running, and went off a small cliff. Broke his leg. They brought a sleeping bag and stuff down to him, and had to wait until morning (and sober) to carry him into town.


7 posted on 08/01/2014 11:00:28 PM PDT by 21twelve (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2185147/posts 2013 is 1933 REBORN)
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To: mass55th

So people who go camping and do drugs are gay now? Are you stupid?


8 posted on 08/01/2014 11:12:17 PM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: stuck_in_new_orleans

He was on a camping trip with another firefighter. Why would he need ecstasy? Isn’t it a drug used to enhance sexual activity?


9 posted on 08/01/2014 11:28:43 PM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: mass55th

Maybe that is why he was looking for the dog?


10 posted on 08/01/2014 11:35:01 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: GeronL

LOL! Maybe it’s why the dog ran away in the first place.


11 posted on 08/01/2014 11:39:26 PM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: Fungi
But why would the guy go after a dog bare footed? Was the dog worth dying for? Something does not make sense.

Appears the victim has buzz, panicked and went after his dog once he discovered the dog was gone. I am sure he didn't intend dying in the process.

But then again he isn't the only person who's died attempting to save their dog. People die for much less honorable reasons, like jumping off cliffs using a kite for thrills and kicks...

12 posted on 08/01/2014 11:43:07 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: BenLurkin

So, just got my hubby’s opinion on the ecstasy thing..said there’s probably more to the story, odd for 2 guys to be taking that stuff while camping but who knows.


13 posted on 08/01/2014 11:48:15 PM PDT by rainee (Her)
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To: rainee

It would be a more odd for them to be taking it while on duty...


14 posted on 08/01/2014 11:51:05 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

Umm, ya. probably so!
Think my hubby’s point was that ecstasy is more like a party drug, unless they meant it as party for 2.
Said there’s no way 2 straight guys would take that stuff if just on a normal camping trip but, we don’t know the details.


15 posted on 08/01/2014 11:55:59 PM PDT by rainee (Her)
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To: rainee

Like any drug there are lots of effects associated with it as I understand it, and it’s not just used for rolling in the hay...It’s both an hallucinogenic and stimulant etc...


16 posted on 08/02/2014 12:07:59 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Moonman62

Thanks for the good news about the dog. I always want to know those things, being a dog-lover.


17 posted on 08/02/2014 2:14:37 AM PDT by MarMema (Run Ted Run)
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To: mass55th

You seem to have knowledge on obscure gay practices. As far as I know it’s just a run of the mill hallucinogenic.


18 posted on 08/02/2014 3:14:07 AM PDT by Blackirish
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To: Blackirish

I have no experience or knowledge of obscure gay practices, nor do I have first-hand knowledge of the use of the illegal drug Ecstasy. I’ve read about, and heard the drug’s name used in connection with date rape cases. I searched several online sites and found that the street name for ecstasy is “X,” “E,” XTC, MDMA, “love drug,” “hug drug,” or “Adam”, so pardon me for thinking that he might have taken it for sexual euphoria.


19 posted on 08/02/2014 6:30:04 AM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: rainee
"So, just got my hubby’s opinion on the ecstasy thing..said there’s probably more to the story, odd for 2 guys to be taking that stuff while camping but who knows."

Thank you. I'm sure there's more to this story too.

20 posted on 08/02/2014 6:49:30 AM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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