Three hikers found dead on southern California’s Mount Baldy
A man along with two of his companions has died after high winds hindered rescue teams from responding to a report about an injured hiker on a trail in southern California, as stated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Monday. The bodies of the three individuals were located Monday evening along the Devil’s Backbone trail on Mount Baldy, which rises over 10,000 feet and is situated just east of Los Angeles, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The fatalities occurred in close proximity to where actor Julian Sands passed away three years prior. Sands, known for his roles in A Room With a View and Leaving Las Vegas, was reported missing after embarking on a solo hike in January 2023. His remains were discovered five months later. In January 2023, the same month Sands went missing, an additional 15 hikers either became lost, sustained injuries, or died on the mountain. The department reported receiving a call around 11:30 AM on Monday from an individual stating that their 19-year-old friend had fallen 500 feet (150 meters) down a remote mountainside. The caller had hiked to a location with cellular service and provided GPS coordinates to the rescuers. A helicopter crew identified the injured hiker and two others, but strong winds obstructed the aircraft from landing. A subsequent landing attempt later in the day was also unsuccessful due to the winds. A medic was eventually lowered from a helicopter and found all three individuals deceased at approximately 7:30 PM, according to the sheriff’s statement. The identities of the victims were not disclosed as of Tuesday, and the cause of death was not immediately clear. On the same day, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department announced the rescue of two additional hikers—two men, aged 18 and 31— from a different trail on Mount Baldy. One of these hikers suffered injuries after falling more than 100 feet from the trail. In October, three hikers were rescued near the same trail where the deceased individuals were found. The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department reported that three men in their 20s were hiking near the Devil’s Backbone when they took a wrong turn, got lost, and could no longer proceed on the mountain. All were rescued without sustaining injuries.
Published: 2025-12-30 21:30:00
source: www.theguardian.com
