The search for, and subsequent rescue of, a fallen hiker who sustained fatal injuries in the Indian Cove area of Joshua Tree National Park Saturday night (1/7) brought two helicopters to the area. Sheriff’s Deputy Kridner told Z107.7 news at a landing zone on the road in front of the Indian Cove ranger station that they had received a report of an injured hiker in the Rattlesnake Canyon area and responded to assist the National Park Service.
A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s helicopter located the missing hiker, a 50-year-old Orange County woman, who had suffered head trauma injuries in a fall in the rocky, harsh terrain with no cell service. They directed Park staff, County Fire and Morongo Basin Ambulance personnel to the location. They Park Rangers and Emergency Medical staff worked to bring the patient out of the rocks to the medical helicopter.
The patient was transported to an area hospital where she was declared dead. Investigators say there was no sign of foul play.
The identity of the victim was not revealed pending notification of next of kin.
