INDIAN WELLS, Calif – On Sunday, May 10, 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 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.