Father Of Missing OC Hiker Dies While Monitoring Search For His Son
RESERVE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in western New Mexico say the father of a missing hiker died while monitoring the search for his son near Reserve.
Search team spokesman Dave Baldridge says 70-year-old Ray Lockhart of Huntington Beach, Calif., died Wednesday while being transported to a hospital.
Lockhart's son, 43-year-old Steven Lockhart of Costa Mesa, Calif., has been missing since he became separated from fellow hikers Saturday in the Gila National Forest.
A search was launched Sunday.
Baldridge says a New Mexico State Police officer and a paramedic attended to the father after he collapsed at the hikers' camp .
The state medical investigator will determine the cause of death.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)