Helicopter rescues hiker in Joshua Tree National Park

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — A hiker who went missing in Joshua Tree National Park during the weekend has been rescued.

The National Park Service says 40-year-old Ali Sandoval of El Monte was reported overdue by his family around 11 p.m. Saturday.

Family members located his vehicle at the trailhead for Mastodon Peak and Los Palm Oasis, and a search began at 7 a.m. Sunday.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew spotted Sandoval waving around 1:35 p.m. Sunday a mile north of Mastodon Trail and picked him up. The hiker was taken to a hospital for evaluation.