On Wednesday, December 26th, at approximately 5 p.m., San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation responded to a report of an injured hiker at Joshua Tree National Park. According to a Sheriff’s report, the hiker, Peter Muffoletto, was rock climbing in the national park when he fell approximately 50 feet and sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries. Joshua Tree park rangers and fire department personnel hiked up to Muffoletto, who was unable to hike out from the location due to his injuries. Ground personnel were unable to safely carry Muffoletto out of the area due to the steep mountainous terrain. Air support was requested from Sheriff’s helicopter Air Rescue 306 for a hoist rescue. The Air Rescue helicopter was dispatched and guided to the scene. Using night-vision goggles, the crew of Sheriff and Fire personnel battled extremely high winds to lower the rescue medic down 100 feet. Muffoletto was secured into a rescue basket and hoisted up into the helicopter, followed by the medic. Muffoletto was flown to a local trauma center for further medical treatment.
INJURED HIKER RESCUED VIA HELICOPTER NIGHT-HOIST RESCUE AT JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK WEDNESDAY
