Hiker dies near Anza, another hospitalized

A woman died Wednesday after collapsing while hiking in the San Bernardino National Forest east of Anza.

Hikers Down on the Pacific Crest Trail near Anza RPT @ 11:30 AM – Pacific Crest Trail West of Table Mtn Trk Trl. Two hikers down, 1 hiker succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene. 2nd hiker will be transported by ground ambulance w/unk injuries. @PacificIC 3 ENG, 1 CHIEF OFFICER pic.twitter.com/8qfKQ9WvWu

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) June 16, 2021

The “hiker down” call was received at 11:30 a.m. on the Pacific Crest Trail, near Highway 74, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The hiker, whose name and age were not immediately released, was with another trekker when she passed out, possibly while struggling to catch her breath, on a day when the mercury reached 100 degrees by noon.

The victim’s companion called 911, and firefighters were sent to the area but could not find an access point to reach the pair. A sheriff’s helicopter crew was summoned and initiated a search, locating the unconscious hiker and her friend shortly after noon, but she died before the crew could ferry them to a makeshift landing zone adjacent to the highway, according to fire officials.

The other hiker suffered unspecified injuries and was taken by ambulance to a hospital in the Coachella Valley.

There was no word on what may have caused the victim’s death. The investigation was turned over to the sheriff-coroner’s bureau.