Injured Hiker Located by Rescuers, Airlifted by Helicopter, Hospitalized

A hiker with an injured leg was located by rescuers Saturday evening, airlifted by a Cal Fire helicopter crew Sunday morning, and hospitalized, a sheriff's sergeant said.

The unidentified female was stranded near Wellman Divide, north of the Devil's Slide Trail and Idyllwild, and deputies received a call for assistance from California State Park rangers just before noon Saturday, Sgt. Jesus Orona of the sheriff's Hemet Station said.

Volunteers with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit and a sheriff's helicopter crew began searching and located the hiker early Saturday evening, "but the weather and terrain prevented an immediate airlift," Orona said.

At 8:20 a.m. Sunday, "a California Department of Forestry Air Rescue helicopter airlifted the hiker to safety," Orona said. "The hiker received medical attention and was transported to Desert Regional Hospital for further medical attention."

Anyone with more information about the incident was urged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Hemet Station at (951) 791-3400.