Missing, Injured Hiker Airlifted To Hospital In Rancho Palos Verdes

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — A man was airlifted off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes last week after he was reported missing when he didn't return home after a hiking trip, the Lomita Sheriff's Station announced.

According to the sheriff's station, they received a call about the missing man from his girlfriend early in the morning on May 25. Deputies canvassed the area to find the man, but had difficulty finding him at first, the department said in a Facebook post.

It wasn't until one deputy brought out specialty tactical gear that authorities were able to locate the man with a heat signal along the coast.

"South Patrol Division Chief's All-Star Award winner Deputy Okamoto is known around our station for having all kinds of interesting pieces of tactical gear. One of these pieces of kit is an optical device enabling him to view the world in the infrared light spectrum," officials said.

Deputy Okamoto hiked down the embankment to find the missing hiker badly injured on the beach below, with lacerations on his head and body according to authorities.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department rescue team was able to find Okamoto's location and airlifted the hiker to a local hospital to treat his injuries.