In the 106-degree heat of the San Diego desert on Saturday, July 15, a 24-year-old mountain biker who had helped save the lives of four dehydrated hikers died.
Selfless Helper
The unidentified cyclist and his companions were in Jacumba when they discovered four hikers suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, according to Insider's report.
On Saturday, rescue workers got a call in the early afternoon reporting that the hikers were suffering from heat-related illnesses and did not have any food or drink.
In a report by Fox 5 San Diego, the mountain biker and another cyclist remained with the four hikers while two others rode to a trailhead about five miles away to provide instructions to the incoming rescue team.
The four hikers were checked out by paramedics and discharged after being treated.
Fox 5 stated that once the hikers were rescued, the mountain biker and his companion, who had remained behind, began riding down the route to meet the other two.
San Diego County Public Safety Group spokesperson Chuck Westerheide, who talked to NBC San Diego, said the 24-year-old biker passed out many times while riding.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Captain Brent Pascua told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the pair were separated and that the friend was the only one to return.
Around a quarter of a mile from the trailhead, the other riders located their unconscious companion, said Pascua.
The biker was taken to an air-conditioned ambulance vehicle before being escorted. Pascua said that paramedics tried to save the cyclist's life, but he was declared dead at 5:45 PM local time.
NBC San Diego said the death's cause remains unknown.
On Saturday, the temperature in Jacumba reportedly hit a high of 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warning From Authorities
The Cal Fire said in a Facebook post on Saturday that they had evaluated six persons at the scene and were providing critical care to another.
Cal Fire sent a heartfelt "thank you" to the witnesses who "were able to lead the firefighters and rescue helicopter into where the patients were in this very rugged and remote area."
When venturing into the countryside, the department recommended bringing enough food and drink for the duration of the trip and scheduling strenuous activities for earlier in the day when temperatures are more manageable.
"When it's this hot, maybe it's a good idea to plan the hike another day, or at least really early in the morning so it's not in the heat of the day," Pascua stated. "And when you do, take lots of water, take extra water than you think you're gonna need."
