Hiker Rescued After Suffering Dehydration

A hiker who was suffering from signs of dehydration was rescued by a crew aboard a Riverside County Sheriff’s helicopter on Thursday.

Deputies from the Cabazon station said their department responded around 7:15 p.m. after making contact with Jorge Alfaro, 39, of Corona, and Charlotte Lasley, 48, of La Quinta. They had started their day of climbing at 6 a.m.

One of them started showing signs of dehydration while hiking at the 7,000 elevation level.

Based on cell phone data, deputies in the sheriff’s helicopter were able to locate both hikers and take them to a lower-level parking lot, where an ambulance transported one of them to Desert Regional Medical Center.

The other climber was in good condition.

“(We) would like to remind hiking enthusiasts that adequate hydration, hiking in groups, and communication devices are all essential elements of a safe and successful hiking excursion,” said deputies. “Remember that extreme temperature changes occur in these mountainous areas.”