73-YEAR-OLD HIKER RESCUED BY HELICOPTER IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

A 73-year-old hiker had to be rescued with a Sheriff’s helicopter after he fell in Joshua Tree National Park. According to a Sheriff’s press release, Peter Wallenstein, of Blacksburg, Virginia, was hiking Friday with his family near Ryan’s Ranch Trail when he fell about 1:30 p.m. and suffered several injuries. Responding paramedics hiked to Wallenstein’s location and determined that due to the distance and the rugged terrain, a helicopter would be needed to carry him out. The helicopter crew performed a hoist rescue and Wallenstein was flown to an ambulance waiting nearby. Peter Wallenstein was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.