3 hikers found dead on Mt. Baldy after one fell 500 feet
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. - Three hikers are confirmed dead on Mt. Baldy Tuesday after a rescue mission was hampered by extreme wind conditions, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Hikers found dead
What we know:
On Monday, Dec. 29 at around 11:30 a.m., search and rescue teams responded to a report of a 19-year-old hiker who had fallen 500 feet near Devils Backbone.
According to authorities, the 19-year-old's friend was able to hike to a location with cell phone service to provide GPS coordinates.
The 19-year-old injured hiker was located during an initial aerial search along with two other individuals nearby. However, due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue.
Around 7:30 p.m., emergency crews tried again, but high winds again prevented a hoist operation. According to the sheriff's department, an air medic was hoisted down and confirmed all three individuals were deceased.
What we don't know:
The identities of the two additional individuals found near the 19-year-old hiker have not been released.
It is also currently unclear if the two additional victims were part of the same hiking group or involved in a separate incident.
Closure order issued
Local perspective:
The U.S. Forest Service issued a temporary closure and prohibition order for portions of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, including the Mt. Baldy Closure Area.
The order is in effect from Dec. 29 at 10 p.m. until December 31 at 11:59 p.m.
The Mt. Baldy closure begins at the intersection of Mount Baldy Road and Glendora Ridge Road in Section 30, Township 1 North, Range 8 West, San Bernardino Base and Meridian (SBBM); then continues west to Section 22, Township 1 North, Range 8 West, SBBM; then continues north through the summit of Iron Mountain in Section 3, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, SBBM, to Section 27, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, SBBM; then continues east through the summit of Pine Mountain in Section 30, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, SBBM, to the Angeles National Forest congressional boundary in Section 28, Township 2 North, Range 7 West, SBBM; then continues south along the Angeles National Forest congressional boundary through the summit of Timber Mountain in Section 23, Township 1 North, Range 7 West, SBBM, to Section 27, Township 1 North, Range 8 West, SBBM.
A violation of the order is punishable by a fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for no more than six months, or both.
Nearby hikers rescued
In addition to the three hikers found dead, a separate rescue operation occurred near Ontario Peak Trail, Mt. Baldy on December 29, around 1:44 p.m.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, two hikers, an 18-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, were hiking when one of them fell approximately 100 feet, sustaining injuries. They were able to call 911 and provide their location.
Emergency crews arrived on scene, located the hikers, and performed a hoist rescue.
The Source: This report is based on information from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.