Cries for help lead to hiker who slipped, plummeted down waterfall, CA rescuers say
A hiker was rescued after slipping and plummeting down a waterfall onto the rocks below, California rescuers say.
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District said it got a report of a “hiker screaming for help midway up Big Falls” in Forest Falls shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, according to the rescuers’ post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The passerby who called 911 said they “couldn’t see the hiker but could hear the cries for help,” rescuers said.
After the hiker lost his footing “trying to cross a wet, slippery portion of the falls,” rescuers said he fell 25 feet down the falls, landing on “a rocky pool area below.”
Rescuers said they hiked in and found the “seriously injured hiker,” adding that they called in a helicopter to have him hoisted from the area in the “fastest, safest, and most efficient way.”
The helicopter crew lowered a paramedic to the hiker, who, with the help of other rescuers, was placed in a litter, according to the fire district.
A video shared by rescuers shows a helicopter hovering above as it slowly descends with a line.
After the line reaches rescuers below, the helicopter crew hoists the hiker from the area in a litter.
The crew then flew the hiker to a trauma center, rescuers said.
Aside from the hiker, no others were injured, rescuers said.
Fire rescuers urged “visitors to stay on marked trails, avoid climbing on or around waterfalls, and keep a safe distance from slippery or steep areas.”
“We respond to incidents at this popular location often, where people are seriously injured, so please make smart choices and stay safe,” rescuers said.
Forest Falls is about an 80-mile drive east from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published August 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Cries for help lead to hiker who slipped, plummeted down waterfall, CA rescuers say."
