San Diego man dies while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail near Anza

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) - Authorities continued their investigation into the death of a 43-year-old hiker who trekked the Pacific Crest Trail near Anza.

The ``hiker down'' call was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday near Coyote Canyon Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The agency stated that crews attempted to reach the patient, who was suffering from an unspecified medical emergency but were unable, and requested assistance of the county's sheriff's aviation unit.

Deputies made contact with the hiker and provided medical aid but the hiker was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sgt. Robert Martinez of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's aviation unit removed the deceased man away from the remote area on the hiking trail.

The Riverside County Coroner's office identified the hiker on Thursday as Ian Maclurg of San Diego. No additional information was immediately available.