Authorities have reported the death of a hiker who tragically passed away on Sunday after leaping from a cliff into a river in California.
The 33-year-old man, whose identity remains undisclosed, plunged into a river approximately 15 feet deep from Mount Baldy, as per The Orange County Register.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that the man was hiking with a companion around 5:40 p.m. PDT when he made the decision to jump off the cliff, as reported by WNBC-TV.
Hiker dies after jumping off cliff into a river on Mt. Baldy https://t.co/F1pUPDcpCH
— O.C. Register (@ocregister) June 6, 2023
According to Lt. Bill Fillpot of the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station, the hiker initially swam out of the river but then opted to jump back in, as mentioned in The Register. Unfortunately, he was swept downstream by the current.
After discovering their unresponsive friend downstream, the hiker’s companion promptly contacted emergency services at approximately 6:20 p.m. PDT and commenced CPR. Forestry service officials also administered CPR until firefighters arrived on the scene, as stated by the television station.
Regrettably, the hiker was pronounced deceased at the location, as reported by The Register.
Mount Baldy, situated at an elevation of 10,064 feet above sea level, holds the distinction of being the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains.