Three hikers found dead on Mount Baldy

MOUNT BALDY, Calif. (KESQ) - Rescue crews found three missing hikers dead and rescued two others Monday on Mount Baldy, authorities announced.

Three hikers found dead

The discovery was made after personnel from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team and the Fontana Sheriff’s Station responded to a request to locate an injured 19-year-old male hiker near Devils Backbone. The hiker reportedly fell approximately 500 feet.

Authorities said his friend and hiking companion hiked to an area with cellular service and provided GPS coordinates to assist rescuers. The two were not injured.

Search and Rescue ground crews began their ascent while Sheriff’s Air Rescue initiated an aerial search.

During the aerial search, deputies located the injured hiker and located two additional individuals nearby who have not been identified. Authorities clarified that the two other people found were not with the 19-year-old; crews happened to locate them during the operation. Due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., an airship from Los Angeles County assisted in the effort. High winds again prevented a hoist operation; 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. Recovery operation for all the subjects is underway.   

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at (909) 356-6767 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (909) 387-8313. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Two hikers rescued in separate incident on mountain

An 18-year-old man and a 31-year-old man were rescued Monday just before 2 p.m. near Ontario Peak Trail in Mt. Baldy. The two hikers were stranded on the trail after one of them fell approximately 100 feet, sustaining injuries. They were able to call 911 for assistance and provide their location.  

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Air Rescue arrived on scene, located the hikers, and performed a hoist rescue.

This rescue was a separate search-and-rescue call from the Devil’s Backbone Trail incident.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reminds the public to please prepare adequately before hiking, bring appropriate supplies, avoid hiking during inclement weather conditions, carry a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, and only hike on open and designated trails.

For further safety related information, please visit https://westvalleysar.org/wilderness-safety/.