JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) - A 17-year-old hiker has been rescued with only minor scrapes and bruises after getting wedged between rocks while scrambling in Joshua Tree National Park.
The hiker was reported wedged between rocks in Johnson Canyon by a 911 call at about 4:49 p.m. Thursday, said George Land, a spokesman for the park.
The teenager was on a school field trip from the Bay Area when he got stuck in an area that requires you to squeeze through at weird angles, Land said.
``He got as far as his legs and hips out, he was a rather well built young man chest wise and got lodged in and couldn't get out,'' Land said.
The six-hour rescue was finally successful after a team of responders used a pneumatic chisel on the granite rock to free him.
The hiker was able to walk out on his own with only minor injuries.
Park Ranger Mike Shuman says responders from multiple agencies provided key equipment and expertise to ensure the good outcome.
Responding agencies included Twentynine Palms Fire Department, Marine Corps Air and Ground Combat Center Fire and Rescue and the park's search-and-rescue team.
Trapped Hiker From Bay Area Rescued at Joshua Tree National Park
Copyright AP - Associated Press
