The search is desperately ongoing for a 59-year-old Asian woman who vanished after attempting to cross the San Gabriel River, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The woman, whose identity remains confidential, was swept downstream while hiking with friends on the Heaton Flats Trail within the Angeles National Forest this past weekend. The Sheriff's Information Bureau confirmed she lost her footing before being overcome by the river's forceful currents.
Efforts to locate the missing hiker have seen around 60 search personnel dispatched to the scene. Treacherous terrain and the strength of the river currents necessitated search and rescue personnel to be carried by air to the search locations, according to the Sheriff's Department. Teams have utilized both helicopters and drones, alongside mountaineers and other specialized units, yet the woman remains missing. The incident sparked a safety warning from officials, advising against underestimating calm sections of water and not traversing areas where water levels exceed knee height.
Search teams from various agencies, including L.A. County Fire and U.S. Forest Service employees, have spent the past two days meticulously scouring the area in hopes of finding the lost hiker. In their statement obtained by KTLA, officials detailed the significant allocation of personnel and resources, including EMTs from the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau and unmanned aircraft, among other assets.
The Sheriff's Department, in their renewed appeal for hiker vigilance, underscored the unpredictability and potential danger of natural watercourses. Individuals crossing streams, rivers, or creeks should exercise extreme caution, locate calmer sections of current for safer passage, and perform stability checks on surfaces before crossing, officials said.
Authorities continue to encourage the public to remain alert and report any pertinent information. As part of these efforts, the public can contact the Los Angeles Sheriff's station directly or, for those wishing to remain anonymous, call "L.A. Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or use the "P3 MOBILE APP" or access the Crime Stoppers website. Additionally, the public can sign up for Nixle alerts to receive up-to-date messages directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
