3 hikers, including 19-year-old, found dead on SoCal's Mount Baldy, sheriff's department says

"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."

Search and rescue teams responded after a friend called for help from an area with cellular service when a hiker fell about 500 feet near Devils Backbone in the Mount Baldy area. An aerial search located the injured 19-year-old and, nearby, the bodies of two other hikers who were not with the teen or the friend. All three individuals were later confirmed deceased. Severe and gusting winds repeatedly prevented a helicopter hoist. A Los Angeles County aircraft and an air medic were used; the air medic was hoisted down and confirmed all three deceased. A recovery operation for the three hikers is underway.

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