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Update July 20, 2023: The victim has been identified as Kai Torres Bronson, 24, of Otay Mesa, according to the County Medical Examiner.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo via Cal Fire
July 17, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) –
A Good Samaritan who helped rescue hikers suffering heat-related illnesses on Saturday has died, Cal Fire reports.
The victim was with a group of mountain bikers who came across four hikers in the Carrizo Gorge area of the Jacumba Mountains. Despite 106 degree heat, the hikers had no food or water and were experiencing dehydration and heat-illness symptoms.
Cal Fire responded to a call for help around 2:45 p.m. Two bikers rode out to give Cal Fire crews the location of the hikers, while two other bikers stayed with the hikers.
Cal Fire dispatched a helicopter to fly out the hikers, who were evaluated by paramedics but declined to go to a hospital.
The two mountain bikers who had stayed with the hikers started riding back up the trail but became separated. After one made it out, rescue crews went back about a quarter of a mile and found the missing biker unconscious.
Cal Fire crew members carried the biker out and put the bi8ker in an air conditioned vehicle until an ambulance arrived. On the way to the hospital, medics in the ambulance performed CPR, but were unable to save the victim, who was pronounced dead soon after.
The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death of the victim, whose identity has not been released pending notification of family.
On Facebook, Cal Fire posted, “A huge thank you to the bystanders that were able to lead the firefighters and rescue helicopter in to where the patients were in this very rugged and remote area. Please remember to bring an adequate amount of water and food if you are enjoying our backcountry and try to plan activities earlier in the day when the temperatures are cooler. Also, hike in a group and let friends and family know where you’ll be and what time you expect to finish.”
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