A couple hiking in the desert near Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California was rescued after they ran out of water and were forced to seek shelter from the scorching sun in over 100-degree heat.
The two were hiking along the Ladder Canyon Trail in Mecca on June 9 when Medical assistance was requestedThe man said his girlfriend was dehydrated and weak, the Associated Press reported.
Temperatures in the area, one of the hottest in the U.S., reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit that day, according to National Weather Service records.
dramatic Video footage Footage showed rescuers arriving to find the couple sleeping huddled together on the dry riverbed, with the man using his body to protect his girlfriend from the sun and wind.
One by one, they were hoisted into the helicopter.
They were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the woman was rushed to hospital as her condition worsened.
Unprepared hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts have posed a challenge for rescue teams across the country.
The problem has skyrocketed during the pandemic, as millions of inexperienced hikers across the country venture into the wilderness for the first time.
Because rescues often involve multiple agencies and cost thousands of dollars, states including New Hampshire, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Vermont and Oregon have passed laws that allow them to claim rescue costs if an animal becomes lost or falls victim to unpreparedness in the outdoors.
