(KTLA) – A seriously injured hiker was found screaming for help after plunging about halfway down a popular hiking destination and crashing onto rocks.
The fall happened Sunday afternoon at Big Falls near Forest Falls in the San Bernardino Mountains, according to county fire officials.
According to a post from San Bernardino County Fire, emergency crews were sent out around 3:45 p.m. after someone reported hearing cries for help coming from the waterfall. The caller couldn’t see the injured person but said the screams were coming from midway up the falls.
Officials say the hiker lost his footing while trying to cross a wet, slippery section of the waterfall and plummeted roughly 25 feet into a rocky pool below.
Firefighters hiked in and located the man, who had suffered serious injuries. After an initial assessment, crews called in a hoist-capable rescue helicopter to lift the patient from the rugged terrain.
The helicopter lowered a paramedic into the area, and together with ground crew, the team secured the hiker into a basket for transport. Video captured the moment he was airlifted from the scene, before being flown to a nearby trauma center. His current condition was unknown as of Tuesday.
No other injuries were reported.
San Bernardino County Fire reminded visitors to stay on marked trails and exercise caution near waterfalls.
“We respond to incidents at this popular location often, where people are seriously injured,” the department wrote. “Please make smart choices and stay safe.”
