LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Three hikers were found dead on Mount Baldy, one of the highest peaks in Southern California, authorities said Tuesday.
Emergency teams began searching for the hikers by land and air on Monday morning in the mountainous area along the border of San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department press release.
Rescuers were responding to a request to locate an injured 19-year-old male hiker near a narrow trail that runs along the ridge east of the Mount Baldy summit, said the release.
It said the hiker reportedly fell approximately 500 feet (152.4 meters), and his friend and hiking companion traveled to an area with cellular service and provided GPS coordinates to assist rescuers.
"During the aerial search, deputies located the injured hiker and located two additional individuals nearby who have not been identified," said the release, adding that due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue.
Officials said an air medic was lowered to the site and confirmed that all three individuals were deceased. A recovery operation for the victims is currently underway.
The peak, which has been blanketed in snow by a winter storm, rises to an elevation of 3,068 meters and is the highest point in the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. ■
