An injured hiker needed to be rescued from Mission Trails Park before sunrise Wednesday, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said.
The 35-year-old man fell and broke an arm and his ribs on a trail in the park, while hiking 100-feet high near Jackson Drive and Mission Gorge Road, according to SDFD officials.
Because of the early morning fog, the department’s helicopter could not land near the injured hiker right away.
“If you’re out either after dark or before sunrise, it’s prudent to wear a flashlight or some sort of headlamp so you can see your footing because it can be treacherous," Pat Dugen said, a volunteer guide for the park.
Some emergency personnel had to hike approximately 45 minutes to reach the man along the trail.
Once the fog lifted, several rescuers were dropped off by helicopter near the hiker's location.
Officials said the man fell while hiking at around 5:30 a.m. He used his cell phone to call 911. Sunrise in San Diego was at 6:50 a.m.
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The hiker's mother told NBC 7 her son is an avid hiker and frequently hikes in the dark even though she has asked him not to do that in the past.
She said her son had a flashlight and a phone which helped rescue crews find him in the dark.
“You have to respect the elements," Dugen said. "It's important to be prepared."
Mission Trails Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. with more than 7,000 acres of recreational space just eight miles east of downtown San Diego.
Residents use the park for mountain biking, camping, climbing and other outdoor activities.
