At a Glance
- A fifth hiker searched for four missing friends and was later found dead at the base of a 150-foot cliff
- The original group was airlifted to safety during the nighttime rescue
- The coroner has not released the victim’s identity and continues to investigate
- Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the dangers of solo search attempts in remote desert terrain
A weekend hiking trip in Southern California turned fatal when one member of a five-person party went searching for four overdue friends and plunged to his death, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, to the 56000 block of East State Highway 74 in Anza after a caller reported that four hikers had not returned from their morning trek. While rescue crews later hoisted the stranded group to safety, the companion who set out to find them was discovered at the bottom of an approximately 150-foot rock face and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Search That Unfolded
The four hikers left early Saturday morning but failed to come back by nightfall. A fifth member of the party-who had stayed behind-grew worried and ventured out to locate them, the sheriff’s report states.
Authorities dispatched the Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and the volunteer Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU). Using night-vision equipment, the aviation crew spotted the original quartet and extracted them via hoist for medical evaluation. All four were later reported to be in stable condition.
While the rescue operation continued, teams expanded the search perimeter for the missing companion. Just before dawn on Sunday, RMRU climbers located the fifth hiker near the base of the cliff.
Recovery and Investigation
- The victim was found in a remote, boulder-strewn area accessible only by rope
- Rescue personnel rappelled down and confirmed the hiker had died on impact
- The body was lifted out by helicopter and transported to the coroner’s office
- Identification is pending notification of next of kin
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken jurisdiction and is working to determine the exact cause and manner of death. No additional information about the victim’s age, gender, or hometown has been released.
Terrain and Conditions
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where the incident occurred, is California’s largest state park and features steep canyons, loose rock, and extreme temperature swings. Saturday’s daytime highs reached the upper 60s, but overnight lows dipped into the mid-40s, according to National Weather Service data. The area where the hiker was found is popular with experienced climbers but is considered hazardous after dark because of narrow ledges and unstable scree.
Safety Reminders From Officials
The sheriff’s office reiterated standard back-country guidelines:
- Tell someone your exact route and expected return time
- Carry more water than you think you’ll need-at least one gallon per person per day
- Take a fully charged phone, map, compass, and whistle
- Avoid traveling alone, especially at night
- If friends are overdue, call 911 rather than conducting a solo search
Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact the Hemet Sheriff Station at 951-791-3400.
Key Takeaways
- Four hikers became stranded but survived after a nighttime hoist rescue
- A fifth hiker who went looking for them was found dead at the bottom of a cliff
- The coroner has not identified the deceased, and the investigation is active
- Authorities urge hikers to stay together and alert rescuers instead of attempting solo searches
