Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Hiker Falls 90 Feet Off Cliff Near Eaton Canyon Falls Monday Morning

Photos: Los Angeles Sheriff's County Deputy Dan Paige

Members of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team rescued a hiker who fell about 90 feet off a cliff while hiking on the Eaton Canyon Falls trail about noon Monday.

Rescue personnel on board Engine 66 of the Los Angeles Fire Department also deployed to assist in the rescue.

Deputy Dan Paige of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Altadena station said the Department’s Air 5 rescue helicopter was on scene by 12:22 p.m. and was able to deploy paramedics near where the victim had fallen.

“The helicopter has dropped two paramedics down with the victim,” Paige said. “He is conscious and breathing. Two of our rescuers are also helping and we’re just waiting for the ground crews to hike in because they can’t hoist them out of the area.”

Paige said the canyon was too narrow for a helicopter to hoist the victim out, so ground crews had to move the victim out of the area before placing him on the helicopter. The victim was airlifted to Huntington Memorial Hospital.

Paige could not say how extensive were the man’s injuries except that he had sustained a head injury during the fall.