Full Notification

On Monday, June 29, 2015 at about 10:18 AM, a hiker called 911 from the South Lykken Trail, reporting that he and his wife could no longer hike due to overheating and dehydration. The male also reported that they were low on water and the female had became unconscious. PSPD, PSFD, and the Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue personnel responded to the area. A CHP airplane and a CAL FIRE helicopter responded to the area to assist with the rescue. The air units located the hikers on the South Lykken Trail, in the mountains northwest of the intersection of South Palm Canyon Drive and Murray Canyon Drive. The CAL FIRE helicopter airlifted the female directly to a local hospital in critical condition. Rescue personnel hiked approximately 35 minutes into the area. The male hiker was airlifted to a nearby area before being transported to a local hospital by ambulance in stable condition. The 56 year old female hiker later died at a local hospital. The 59 year old male remains hospitalized in stable condition. Both hikers were visiting the area from Scotland and had began their hike in the area of Murray Canyon Drive and South Palm Canyon Drive at approximately 7:30 AM. Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue handles dozens of calls like this one every year and would like to remind everyone that with higher temperatures, the risk of hiking in these treacherous mountains increases. They recommend that every hiker be well-hydrated and in good physical condition before beginning the hike and should have several liters of water each. They should always tell a friend where they are going, dress appropriately in bright colors (not green, brown or black) and carry a cell phone with a strong battery. UPDATE: The deceased female has been identified by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department-Coroner's Bureau as 56 year old Ruth Ross, from Hamilton, Scotland, United Kingdom. The 59 year old male hiker was treated and released from a local hospital on 6-29-15. His name is being withheld due to medical privacy laws. The two hikers had reportedly arrived in Palm Springs a day before the incident. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that this death is related to any type of criminal activity.