Sheriff's Aviation hoists a 17 year old from a rocky terrain in Indian Wells after being bit by a rattlesnake 
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 10th, 2015 at 1:00pm
INCIDENT: Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Indian Wells, Riverside County, California
SUSPECT(S): None
VICTIM(S): Mackenzie Cosgrove, 17 years old, Palm Desert
SUMMARY: On Sunday, May 10th, Mackenzie Cosgrove was hiking with family on the Eisenhower Loop Trail in the mountains south of Indian Wells. They were in rocky terrain when Cosgrove stepped next to several large rocks and was bit by a rattlesnake. Cosgrove had no time to react before being bitten on the leg.
Family immediately called 911 and requested assistance. Due to the remote location and rugged terrain, responding medical personnel requested a helicopter respond to assist. After arriving, medical personnel determined Cosgrove would need to be hoisted from the location and and transported to a trauma center as soon as possible.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Air Rescue 6 was the only asset in the Southern California region able to perform the hoist rescue. The crew could also perform advanced life support measures with a Flight Nurse and an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. After being requested, the crew responded and performed a hoist rescue of Cosgrove. The crew had already spoken with Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs and confirmed they could treat a snake bite victim. After the hoist rescue, the crew transported Cosgrove to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Refer: Corporal M. Gilley
Station: Aviation
Phone No. (909)252-4100
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700
