Legally blind hiker found “conscious & talking” in Joshua Tree National Park
David Sewell, the 76-year-old legally blind man who recently went missing in Joshua Tree National Park, has been rescued. He was found by searchers at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. He was conscious and talking when searchers found him.
He was airlifted by a California Highway Patrol helicopter to the Quail Springs parking lot and then transported by a Morongo Basin Ambulance to Hi Desert Medical Center. His medical status was not known.
Sewell, a Joshua Tree resident, left his car at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to a note initially found in his abandoned car.
Park rangers discovered his vehicle at around 8:00 p.m. Saturday. The silver Honda Odyssey was found in the Quail Springs day use parking lot. He was planning to hike the Johnny Lang Canyon area of the park. The note stated that if Sewell had not returned by Sunday, April 22, he would need assistance. His daughter told informed officials that he has numerous health issues, including being legally blind.
Search and rescue operations began at 6:45 a.m. Monday.
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