Avid cliff diver drowns in ‘aggressive’ current after leap from waterfall, CA cops say
A hiker drowned after jumping from a waterfall in Mount Baldy, California officials say.
The adrenaline-pumping activity appeared to be a hobby of his, Lt. Daniel Vizcarra with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told McClatchy News.
The 32-year-old cliff-jumper had hiked along a trail near Barrett-Stoddard Road and jumped from a waterfall into a river just before 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, Vizcarra said.
Not only was the water shallow, but the current was strong and swift, officials with the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station said in a June 6 post on Facebook. The man was knocked unconscious when he hit his head on a submerged rock, and he drowned, officials said.
The man’s friends pulled him out and gave him CPR until first responders arrived, but they weren’t able to revive him, officials said in the post.
The sheriff’s search and rescue team hoisted the man’s body up the treacherous cliff in the dark, officials said.
“While this is yet another sad end during a season of water incidents, we are grateful to have been able to bring closure to this person’s family and friends,” officials with the San Dimas search and rescue team said in a June 6 post on Instagram.
Officials warned the public to stay out of the water, especially during periods of increased spring runoff.
“Our Mountain Unit would like to remind the public to take extra precautions when out on a hike in the mountains or near water areas,” officials said. “The river current is aggressive and dangerous at this time.”
This story was originally published June 6, 2023 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Avid cliff diver drowns in ‘aggressive’ current after leap from waterfall, CA cops say."
