In a tragic turn of events, a mountain biker lost their life on Saturday after rescuing a group of four dehydrated hikers in Southern California's intense heat. The hikers were discovered miles off the trailhead near Carrizo Gorge in Jacumba, struggling in temperatures reaching 106 degrees. A group of four cyclists came across the distressed hikers, who were without food or water, in the remote and challenging terrain.
Two of the cyclists immediately set off to alert first responders, providing GPS coordinates of the hikers' location, while the other two stayed behind to assist the hikers. A sheriff's helicopter was deployed to airlift the hikers to safety. Upon evaluation by paramedics, the hikers declined further treatment at a hospital.
Meanwhile, the two cyclists who remained with the hikers began their descent but unfortunately got separated. One of the mountain bikers was later found unconscious. Despite being transported down the trail in an air-conditioned vehicle and then by air ambulance, with CPR administered en route, the cyclist was pronounced dead at the hospital. Details about the cyclist's identity and the specific cause of death have not yet been released.
CAL Fire expressed gratitude to the cyclists who helped locate the hikers and emphasized the crucial importance of carrying sufficient food and water when hiking, especially in extreme heat conditions.
