News

Search continues for legally blind hiker in Joshua Tree National Park

Published April 24, 2018 3:25 PM

A search will continue Tuesday for a hiker who’s missing in Joshua Tree National Park. The abandoned vehicle of Joshua Tree resident David Sewell, 76, was discovered at 8 p.m. Saturday evening by park rangers with a note stating that if he had not returned by Sunday, he would need assistance.

Sewell is legally blind and has numerous health issues, his daughter told officials. He is described in the news release as a white male.

His silver Honda Odyssey was found in the Quail Springs parking lot and it appears that Sewell was headed towards an unspecified location in Johnny Lang Canyon.

Search and rescue operations began on Monday at 6:45 a.m. Currently, there are approximately 50 searchers, two K-9 teams, and California Highway Patrol helicopter involved in the search efforts.

Anyone with information relating to this story is urged contact 888-294-3666.

This is the third high-profile search and rescue operation to happen in the park in recent months. Last month, 54-year-old Paul Hanks was missing four days near the Maze Loop trailhead. He had fallen 20 feet while hiking. The Park’s Public Information Officer, George Land, said Hanks is a frequent visitor to the park.

Back in October, the bodies of 21-year-old Joseph Orbeso and 20-year-old Rachel Nguyen were found, also near the Maze Loop trailhead. The two had been missing three months.

Stay with KESQ & CBS Local 2 for the latest on this developing story.