Firefighters Rescue Hiker Suffering 'Traumatic Injury' On Menifee Hike

MENIFEE, CA — Firefighters from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department rescued an injured person in a remote area of Menifee Thursday.

The report of a person with a traumatic injury was made around 9:45 a.m. Thursday on a hiking trail west of Simpson and Menifee roads.

Firefighters hiked approximately two miles along the trail to locate the person, who was subsequently taken to a hospital via ground ambulance with moderate injuries.

A rescue helicopter was initially requested to assist in the rescue, but ultimately was not utilized, according to firefighters.

The cause of the injury was not immediately known.

Original Aug. 17, 2023 post:

MENIFEE, CA — An injured hiker was rescued from a remote Menifee mountain hiking trail Thursday morning, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported.

Cal Fire learned of the injury at 9:45 a.m. when a hiking partner called 911. The woman suffered a "traumatic injury" on the Aldergate Hike, about two miles up, according to Cal Fire Spokeswoman Maggie De La Rosa.

"A helicopter and hoist were initially called to the scene, but firefighters were able to access the patient after about 45 minutes," De La Rosa said.

Firefighters had the injured woman on a backboard and would hike her two miles down the trail, on foot, just west of Menifee Road and Simpson Road.

When the 911 call was made, Cal Fire received the latitude and longitude coordinates. The caller was able to describe where they were in relation to the start of the hike, between two and three miles up from the street.

"They said it was 90 degrees outside, and the two had been hiking for about 20 minutes when the injury occurred," she said.

Hiking in the summer heat can be problematic, and not for unprepared or novice hikers.

"We would encourage people to hike early in the morning or late afternoon, not in peak hours, with plenty of water," she said. "Make sure you have a full charge of your cell phone and can give a good location of your whereabouts when you call for help."

The hiker's condition has not yet been released but will be updated when that information becomes available.