In two separate unrelated incidents, helicopters were deployed to extract injured hikers from Laguna Coast Wilderness trails, said fire department Division Chief Dan Stefano.
A 51-year-old Irvine hiker, who was designated a trauma patient due to the nature of his medical needs and the extent of his injuries, was airlifted to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. Firefighters located the victim just off of the Laguna Ridge Trail, on the north side of Laguna Canyon Road, Stefano said.
A friend who was hiking with the victim Saturday morning was uncertain what caused the medical emergency, Stefano said.
The second incident, about 7 p.m. Sunday, involved a 47-year-old male biker on Rattlesnake Trail. The OCFA Helicopter was redeployed for a second air rescue, Stefano said. He apparently lost control of his bike and flew over the handlebars, he said.
