Helicopter rescues hiker in Pasadena hills

Dec. 24, 2009 | KPCC Wire Services

A man who became ill while hiking was plucked from the hills north of Pasadena by a sheriff's helicopter Thursday and taken to a hospital, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported.

The man, who is his 40s, was hiking with his son in an area known as Inspiration Point at an altitude of about 4,000 feet when he began to experience some health problems, said sheriff's Sgt. David Infante.

CA/Local News

"His son contacted the sheriff's station at Santa Clarita and our air search and rescue unit initiated a search of the area at first light," said Infante.

The helicopter crew spotted the man and his son and led a sheriff's ground search unit to the location. The ground unit then led the man and his son to a spot where a sheriff's chopper could airlift him out.

"The son was OK, but apparently his father needed some medical treatment," Infante said.

The man's condition and the nature of his illness were not immediately disclosed.

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