Two teenage hikers rescued near Palm Desert

Two teenagers trapped on a jagged rock outcropping off a Palm Desert hiking trail were rescued by firefighters and a helicopter, authorities said today.

Rescuers started searching in the cold and dark for the pair about 5:30 p.m. Friday. A helicopter was called out to extract one of the teenagers, who had broken an ankle after falling. The injured teenager was transported to a local hospital, and the second was not hurt, Riverside County Fire Department officials said.

The pair had wandered off the Bump-n-Grind Trail and had apparently become lost but were able to contact authorities using a cellphone. Overnight temperatures dipped below freezing.

-- Jason Song

Comments

[FC]

Well, sort of.

My daughter was one of the three hikers that were originally up on the Bump & Grind trail and was able to walk out on her own, so they were obviously not lost. The kids were hiking when one of them, male age 16, took a 10' fall off a rock and became disoriented from a head injury. The 3 then went off trail seeking the shortest route down the mountain. However due to his concussion and a fractured ankle, it became apparent that the injured minor hiker would not be able to make it down on his own. My daughter continued down the side of the mountain behind the Target Store on Hwy 111 and called me to come to the scene.

The uninjured older hiker, Michael Lucas, 19, of Palm Desert, CA stayed with the injured minor, contacted Search & Rescue and kept him conscious by continually asking him questions. As darkness approached he signaled the rescuers using the light from his cell phone and a lighter. He then assisted Deputies with procedures before being airlifted off the maintain himself. Mr. Lucas was later commended in my presence by the Riverside County Sheriff's Deputies for saving the life of the minor hiker.