A 20-year-old man is dead after he went hiking in Joshua Tree National Park in 120-degree temperatures Saturday. About 7 p.m., the man’s companion reported that the victim, who has not been identified by the coroner, was unconscious in the Turkey Flats area in the southern portion of the park, and was in immediate need of assistance. Searchers from Riverside County Fire, Joshua Tree Search and Rescue, and park rangers located the man about 11:30 p.m. near the base of Pinto Mountain and performed CPR but were unable to revive him. He was officially pronounced deceased by the Riverside County coroner at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
Joshua Tree National Park officials remind residents to hike in the early morning hours and avoid the heat of the day; carry more water than you think you’ll need, and be vigilant in extreme heat conditions.
