Hiker slips on ‘steep, icy’ mountain and plunges 20 feet into tree, California cops say

A hiker left the trail and slipped on “steep, icy terrain,” California rescuers said.

Sarahi Rodriguez and a friend went on a hike to Cucamonga Peak in San Bernardino County on Sunday, Jan. 23.

The two hikers went off trail, and Rodriguez slipped. She slid about 20 feet down the mountainside before slamming into a tree, the county sheriff’s office said. The tree stopped her fall.

“Rodriguez had facial injuries and believes she lost consciousness from the fall,” deputies said in a news release. “The friend placed a 911 call, requesting help, stating Rodriguez was injured and could not hike any longer.”

A sheriff’s patrol helicopter flew to the trail to look for Rodriguez.

“The crew arrived and located her in steep, icy terrain,” the sheriff’s office said. “The crew determined a hoist rescue would be needed to get Rodriguez to safety.”

A medic wearing boots that would keep him from sliding on the icy ground was hoisted to Rodriguez’s location. The medic attached Rodriguez to a rescue harness, and she was hoisted into the helicopter.

Rescuers flew the hiker to paramedics for additional medical care. The sheriff’s office did not disclose her condition at the time.

This story was originally published January 26, 2022 at 7:30 AM with the headline "Hiker slips on ‘steep, icy’ mountain and plunges 20 feet into tree, California cops say."