Lost and suffering from heat exhaustion, two hikers were hoisted out of 49 Palms Canyon in Joshua Tree National Park yesterday (Thursday, May 13) by Morongo Basin deputies with assistance from County Air Rescue. Mercedes Sironi, 65, and Jefferey Knox, 71, both residents of Imperial Beach, California, contacted county sheriff’s dispatch for assistance about 10:30 a.m. The two were located and transported via helicopter to the 49 Palms Canyon trail head where they were treated by medical personnel and released.
The Sheriff’s Department reminds hikers to bring plenty of food, water, and a charged cell phone. In the summer months plan to hike in the early morning hours, bring a companion, and let someone know your intended hiking destination.
