Hiker bitten by rattlesnake on Hidden Valley Trail near Murrieta NBC Los Angeles [Video]

A 66-year-old woman was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking a trail west of Murrieta today, requiring a helicopter medical evacuation to the nearest hospital.

The snake bite was reported at 10:27 a.m. on the Hidden Valley Trail, north of Tenaja Road, in the unincorporated community of La Cresta, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was struck by the rattler while trekking a half-mile beyond the trailhead.

She found a safe place to rest while other hikers called 911, according to reports from the scene.

Firefighters hiked to the woman’s location, initiating emergency care to the lower half of one of her legs while a REACH Air Ambulance was routed to the trail.

At 11:15 a.m., the victim was retrieved by the helicopter crew and flown to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, less than five minutes flying time …