Man uses his body as shield to protect girlfriend from desert sun, wind as they wait to be rescued | Trending

A couple hiking in the desert south of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California was rescued after running out of water, authorities said. Two hikers were lying on the ground as Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit’s Rescue 9 was dispatched to the Ladder Canyon Trail. (AP) On Sunday, the man called 911 and reported that his girlfriend was dehydrated and weak, according to a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office posted Monday on social media. Now catch your favourite game on Crickit. Anytime Anywhere. Find out how A search and rescue helicopter crew was dispatched on June 9, when temperatures reached triple digits, to the area known as Painted Canyon and found the couple huddled in a dry creek bed, the office said. A video posted online the Sheriff’s Office shows the helicopter hovering above the couple lying on the desert floor, with the man trying to shield her with his body from the blazing sun and wind. The man and woman were then hoed into the helicopter one one. The couple was flown to a landing zone where an aeromedical helicopter rushed the woman to a hospital “due to her severe condition,” according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit’s Rescue 9 post. The man was transported to a local hospital ambulance, the sheriff’s office told SFGATE. The deserts of Southern California are among the hottest areas in the state. On June 9, weather stations near the Painted Canyon area saw highs ranging from 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 to 40.6 Celsius), according to the National Weather Service. “Please remember as the temps increase take more water than you think you will need, have a hiking plan, and tell two people where you are going,” the Sheriff’s Department said. News / Trending / Man uses his body as shield to protect girlfriend from desert sun, wind as they wait to be rescued