Palm Springs Fire Department saves two hikers at Tahquitz Canyon

Government
1200 paul alvarado
Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado | Palm Springs City Government/Facebook

The Palm Springs Fire Department (PSFD) came to the rescue of two injured hikers when two separate incidents occurred within 24 hours in the Tahquitz Canyon area.

"Your PS Firefighters just completed a rescue for a injured hiker in the Tahquitz Canyon area," according to the PSFD Facebook page. "Reported fall victim with a leg injury."

This was the second hiker to get hurt in the canyon area this week. He was airlifted on Wednesday from the trail with the help of the California Highway Patrol - Air Division as Agua Caliente Tribal Rangers assisted at the scene. As a result of an evaluation at the landing area, he was transported to a local hospital by car, the Facebook account said.

KESQ said the 70-year-old man was listed in stable condition at the hospital.

A video of the rescue is provided at this link by PSFD.

Just one day prior, a KESQ report said a woman suffered a head injury after also falling at Tahquitz Canyon. PSFD joined the Agua Caliente Tribal Rangers in rescuing the woman just before noon and helped her to walk down a trail to safety. A video showed the woman with her head wrapped as a first-aid measure being escorted along a rocky and winding trail.

American Medical Response workers provided transport to a nearby hospital for what PSFD told KESQ were minor injuries.

In April of this year at Tahquitz Canyon, a 66-year-old man from Beaumont reportedly drowned after falling into the water at the beginning of the trail; Kate Anderson, tribal spokesperson for the Agua Caliente Band Cahuilla Indians, told KESQ. At the time of the article, the Coroner's Office had not yet confirmed the cause of death for the victim, identified as John Forsyth. First responders arrived at the scene after receiving a report of a distressed hiker.