MOUNT BALDY, Calif. (KABC) — A 19-year-old and two other people who went hiking in the Mount Baldy area on Monday were found dead, authorities said.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, a search and rescue team initially responded to a request to find an injured 19-year-old hiker who fell about 500 feet near Devils Backbone.
The sheriff’s department the teen’s friend who was hiking with him went over to an area that had cellular service and called authorities for help. That’s when crews began searching the area, with a team flying above the mountain.
During the aerial search, deputies found the injured 19-year-old then found the bodies of two other hikers nearby. The two other hikers were not with the 19-year-old and the friend who called for help, authorities clarified.
The sheriff’s department said they were unaware of the separate hikers’ whereabouts and happened to locate them during their search for the teen.
All three hikers found dead have not been identified. Meantime, the teen’s friend who called for help was not injured, authorities said.
The sheriff’s department said that due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue. Then, at around 7:30 p.m., a Los Angeles County aircraft was used to help.
“High winds again prevented a hoist operation,” said the sheriff’s department. “However, an air medic was hoisted down and confirmed all three individuals were deceased. Due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue.”
A recovery operation for all three hikers is underway.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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