PALM SPRINGS: 66-year-old hiker airlifted from Tahquitz Canyon
Volunteers from PSMPSAR hiked in to the lost hiker. Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue photo
PALM SPRINGS – A lost 66-year-old hiker visiting Palm Springs from San Diego was rescued near the First Falls in Tahquitz Canyon after he became lost New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1.
Agua Caliente Tribal Rangers contacted the Palm Springs Police Department regarding the lost hiker about 2:55 p.m. The hiker reported to rescuers he was somewhere in Tahquitz Canyon.
Volunteer members of the Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue unit were called in to assist with locating the hiker.
The rescue unit and Agua Caliente Tribal Rangers obtained assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Air Operations Division, helicopter 40-K4.
The helicopter aviation crew was able to locate the lost hiker about 9:40 p.m.
Members of the Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue unit hiked in to where the lost hiker was and stayed with him until the San Bernardino County Aviation Unit was able to fly in and airlift the victim to a nearby landing zone.
The hiker was safely returned to the trail head where he was evaluated by waiting medics. He was not injured.
Law Enforcement and Tribal Rangers who work in the canyons encourage visitors and hikers to wear appropriate clothing for the conditions, carry an appropriate amount of water, have a fully charged cell phone, stay on trails and allow enough time to return to trail heads well before closing time. In addition, hikers should tell a friend or family member details of the hike, including the name and location of the trail and estimated return time.
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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 13 – soon to be 14 – grandchildren.