APPLE VALLEY – A 51-year-old Hesperia man required a hoist rescue after becoming ill while hiking on a Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail on Wednesday morning. Avery McLemore was hiking on the trail headed to the Bowen Ranch parking lot, when about two miles from the destination he began having medical problems.
McLemore was unable to continue his hike and called 911 to request assistance. The San Bernardino County Fire Department, deputies from the Victor Valley Station and 40King5 (the Sheriff’s helicopter) responded to the scene to search for McLemore. McLemore was quickly located on a steep section of the trail. The crew was unable to land at the location due to the steep terrain.
Air Rescue 307, which is equipped to perform a hoist rescue was requested at the scene. When they arrived they hoisted a medic approximately 45’ down to McLemore, who was suffering from heat and breathing-related problems. He was placed into a rescue harness and hoisted into the helicopter to be transported to Bowen Ranch where he was released to San Bernardino and AMR to be transported to the hospital.
