Injured motorcyclist rescued after crashing near Joshua Tree National Park

A family is thankful Friday morning for the safe return of an injured motorcyclist who became separated from his cousin Thursday night following a crash near Joshua Tree National Park.

Authorities said the crash victim and his cousin were riding their motorcycles south of Yucca Valley when he crashed and injured his ribs. While they were both riding back to Yucca Valley, he became separated from his cousin.

His family searched for him for several hours and called the sheriff’s department for help at about 5:45 p.m. after they couldn’t find him.

Deputies said a sheriff’s helicopter located the injured motorcyclist at about 9:54 p.m. He was transported to the High Desert Medical Center for dehydration and injury to his ribs.

Authorities said he was released from the hospital soon after treatment.

The sheriff’s department didn’t list any information regarding the crash.