A 72-year-old man hiking the Pacific Crest Trail near Mission Creek south of Morongo Valley Thursday had to be rescued by helicopter. According to a Sheriff’s report, Daniel Zanini, 72, of Denver, Colorado, was hiking with his wife when he became very dehydrated and lost consciousness. Another hiker came upon Zanini and activated his personal location beacon and summoned help. The Sheriff’s Department sent out its rescue helicopter, 40 King, which located Zanini about 7 p.m. some three miles from the Mission Creek Stone House in the Mission Creek Preserve. The rescue paramedics determined that Zanini needed medical care and he was flown to Hi-Desert Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.
UPDATED 5/3/18 10 a.m. with additional information about the hiker.
