3 missing hikers found dead on Mt. Baldy
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.
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 search and his two friends were discovered nearby.
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.
What's next:
The sheriff’s department is continuing recovery operations for all three hikers.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Fontana sheriff’s station at (909) 356-6767 or the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78CRIME.
The Source: This report is based on information from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.