Young mtn. bikers air-lifted to safety

Two young mountain bikers had to be rescued by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit after they lost their way on the Cactus Springs Trail in Palm Desert on Wednesday.

Authorities said the two mountain bikers from Indio began riding the trail around 8 a.m., but one of the bikes was damaged about an hour into the ride. The young riders continued down the trail toward Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta.

Police said halfway to their destination, the two realized the trail had been partially washed out from recent rainfall and the markings of the trail were missing. They ended up using their cell phones to call their parents for help.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and Desert Search and Rescue were able to find the pair and hoisted them to safety around 6:15 p.m. They both made it out of the ordeal unharmed and were reunited with their parents.

Authorities use this story as an example to remind hikers and mountain bikers that many dangerous situations can arise when in the wilderness and you should always prepare accordingly.