Three hikers found dead during search and rescue efforts on Mount Baldy in California, authorities say
A 19-year-old man who fell while hiking on Mount Baldy in Southern California and two other people were found dead during search and rescue efforts for the teen, authorities said.
Recovery efforts for the three deceased hikers are underway, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.
The search for the teen began at noon Monday, when a search and rescue team responded to a request to rescue the hiker after he reportedly fell approximately 500 feet near the Devil’s Backbone Trail, the sheriff’s department said.
A friend who was hiking with the teen “walked to an area with cell service and provided GPS coordinates to assist rescuers,” the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
In this undated file photo, Mount Baldy is shown in California’s San Gabriel Mountains.
Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images, FILE
During an aerial search, officers found the teen and two unidentified people nearby, although the helicopter was unable to complete the rescue due to high winds, authorities said.
Later Monday night, an air paramedic who was lowered confirmed that all three hikers were dead, authorities said. The helicopter was still unable to safely recover them at that time due to high winds.
Recovery efforts are still underway, the sheriff’s department said Tuesday.
The teen’s name has not been released. The two unidentified hikers found near him were in a separate group and were located by chance during the search for the teen, according to the sheriff’s department.
Mount Baldy is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, just outside of Los Angeles.
ABC News’ Jenna Harrison contributed to this report.
