Authorities reported that a tragic incident occurred on Mount Baldy, California, where three hikers were found dead. Among them was a 19-year-old male, who fell approximately 500 feet near Devils Backbone.
Incident Details
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to an emergency call from the teenage hiker’s friend. This friend had traveled to an area with cell service to request assistance after the fall.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Search teams quickly mobilized, employing both ground crews and aerial support to locate the injured teenager. During the aerial search, deputies initially discovered the injured hiker and later found the bodies of two other hikers in close proximity. It’s important to note that these two individuals were not hiking with the teenager or his friend.
Conditions Impacting Rescue
Rescue operations faced significant challenges due to severe wind conditions. The helicopter involved in the recovery was unable to perform a hoist operation due to these high winds. At around 7:30 p.m., a Los Angeles County aircraft was brought in to assist.
Confirmation of Fatalities
An air medic was dispatched and confirmed that all three individuals had unfortunately passed away. The sheriff’s department clarified there were no injuries to the hiker’s friend who made the call for help.
Ongoing Recovery Operations
A recovery operation is currently underway to retrieve the bodies of the deceased individuals. The names of the three hikers have not yet been released. This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
