24-year-old identified as hiker killed near Idyllwild
Authorities identified an Oceanside man who died Wednesday while hiking with a friend in the mountains near Idyllwild.
Firefighters The Riverside County Coroners Office said Jonathan Zuniga, 24, died in a fall near Lily Rock. Another hiker with Zuniga was also hurt while negotiating mountainous terrain and airlifted to a local hospital with major injuries.
Rescue teams were called to the area within the San Bernardino National Forest at approximately 2 p.m.
More than 30 firefighters were sent to help in the rescue.
Zuniga had died from his injuries before paramedics reached the two.
This marks the second deadly rock climbing accident in the park within the last two months.
In July, George J. Wu, 51, of Newport Beach was found dead on the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Hiking Trail. Sheriff’s investigators concluded that Wu suffered traumatic injuries after falling during a climb.