FOREST SERVICE CLOSES CEDAR CREEK FALLS AFTER DEATH

Updates to this story have now been posted on the victim, as well as on a new ban on jumping, alcohol, and other activities at the falls. Get the latest details at: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/6613

July 6, 2011 (Ramona) – The U.S. Forest Service has closed Cedar Creek Falls for an investigation into a deadly fall today that killed one visitor and injured another.

The fatal accident is at least the fourth serious injury incident during the holiday weekend at Cedar Creek Falls, according to Incident Page Network. The Forest Service recently opened a new trail to make the popular destination accessible to more people.

Today’s accident claimed the life of a male hiker and seriously injured a second hiker, also male, San Diego Sheriff’s department spokeswoman Melissa Aquino reports. The injured hiker has been airlifted to a local hospital.

On July 2, two different rescues were conducted at Cedar Creek Falls. Only July 3rd, an adult fall victim suffered major head injury and had to be air-lifted out.

Cedar Creek has been the scene of various injuries through the years as well as fatalities, often due to visitors jumping off rocks, being swept over the falls, or suffering rock-climbing accidents.

Rescue operations were also conducted this week from several other popular hiking trails including Iron Mountain (collapsed hiker), Mission Trails (fallen bicyclist), and Three Sisters Falls ( heatstroke suffered by two hikers.)