Mountain Biker Dies Helping to Rescue Distressed Hikers Near US-Mexico Border

Mountain Biker Dies Helping to Rescue Distressed Hikers Near US-Mexico Border
A rocky landscape dominates the desert mountains along the US-Mexico border east of Jacumba, Calif., on April 4, 2008. (David McNew/Getty Images)
City News Service
7/16/2023
Updated:
7/16/2023
0:00

JACUMBA, Calif.—A mountain biker died after helping authorities locate four distressed hikers in the Carrizo Gorge area in the Jacumba Mountains, authorities said July 16.

Cal Fire San Diego responded at 2:45 p.m. Saturday to a distress call, and with the assistance of three mountain bikers, officials were able to locate the hikers a quarter-mile east of the trailhead, authorities said.

Shortly afterward, a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department helicopter was sent to treat the hikers, but all declined transport and were released.

Two of the three mountain bikers were also treated and released, with both refusing transport, Cal Fire officials told City News Service.

The third biker was placed in an air-conditioned vehicle while waiting for a mercy eight helicopter ambulance to provide transport to the nearest hospital.

“While being transported, the biker went into CPR status and was pronounced dead on scene,” a Cal Fire official said.

No further information about the victim was immediately available.