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Mount Baldy closed after three hikers found dead
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's department says the closures is in effect until Dec. 31 11:59 p.m.
(
Courtesy Chad Nelson
)
Topline:
San Bernardino County has closed all hiking trails in and around Mount Baldy after three people were found dead Monday evening.
What we know about the victims: One of the people who died was identified as Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old Seal Beach resident. The identities of the other two people have not yet been released.
The backstory: The discovery came after crews received a call for help earlier that day of someone who had fallen 500 feet near Devil’s Backbone trail. A helicopter crew was able to spot the injured hiker and two others, but strong winds prevented the chopper from landing. A second helicopter that arrived later was also unable to land for the same reason. Eventually, they were able to lower a medic down from a helicopter, who found the three hikers dead. Their causes of death has not been released.
About the closure: The closure for the Mount Baldy area is in effect until 11:59 pm. Dec. 31. San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said that the weather and terrain conditions are “extremely dangerous and unpredictable,” even for experienced hikers.
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