Hiker Injured In Popular Off-Road Area Near Murrieta, Rescue Made

MURRIETA, CA — A hiker was injured Thursday on a trail east of Wildomar and north of Murrieta, requiring a sheriff's helicopter crew to retrieve the man and transport him to safety.

The "hiker down" call was received about 11:45 a.m. in the Greer Ranch area, near the intersection of Crossroads and La Estrella streets, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said that the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, requested help after suffering unspecified injuries.

Firefighters initiated a search and located the man, but due to the location, they requested assistance from a sheriff's STAR-9 helicopter crew to haul him to a staging area, where an ambulance was waiting.

Officials said that the rescue was completed within an hour, and the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

The area where the hiker went down is popular with mountain bikers and hikers.