Crime & Safety

Rescuers Arrive at Fatal Angeles Crest Ravine Fall (Video)

Three men fell down a 500-foot ravine off Angeles Crest Highway on Saturday above La Cañada Flintridge. One died from his injuries and two others were hospitalized.

Sheriff's Montrose Search and Rescue Team released video of a fatal cliff fall rescue below Angeles Crest Highway. 

A seriously injured man flagged down a passing car along Angeles Crest Highway about noon Saturday, sheriff's officials said. 

The injured man said two people were hurt below after falling into a deep ravine, according to a sheriff's news release. 

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Montrose Search and Rescue Team and Air-5 (helicopter) Rescue with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department arrived at Mile Marker 41.00 of the Angeles Crest Highway in the Angeles National Forest, officials said. 

Sheriff's Montrose Search and Rescue Team members, including volunteer rescuers, began hiking to the scene. Meanwhile, an LASD Air-5 Rescue crew including pilots, crew chief and deputy paramedics with the LASD Emergency Services Detail of the Special Enforcement Bureau, flew to the scene, officials said.  

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An emergency deputy paramedic lowered in a litter from the rescue helicopter to the location, which was about 500-feet over the side of the highway, inside the ravine.  

Vigen Sarkisyan, 18, of Tujunga was confirmed dead at the scene by rescuers, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. Ground searchers carried him out of the steep ravine using a litter. 

Meanwhile, ground rescuers worked with Sheriff's Air-5 (helicopter) pilots and paramedics to hoist the two injured men into the aircraft, each of whom was suffering from major trauma, officials said.  

One man was rescued from about 500 feet in the ravine and was unable to move due to his injuries and said "my back hurts," and complained of a knee injury. Rescuers placed this victim in a neck brace. 

Another man, although badly hurt, had managed to crawl up to the highway to seek help, authorities said. 

All three victims, aged 18-20 years-old, are residents of Pasadena, according to deputies from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station. This report differs from the Los Angeles County Coroner's office.

The apparent hiking accident is being investigated by Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station deputies. 


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