A hiker was killed by a falling rock near Mount Whitney on Sunday, authorities said, marking the third death in less than a week near California’s highest peak.
Witnesses reported the hiker was on the North Fork of the Lone Pine Creek Trail when a rock fell on him and seriously injured him, according to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.
Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene by helicopter and lowered members to the scene of the accident. Rescuers determined the injured hiker died from his injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
The hiker’s body was then airlifted to Lone Pine and turned over to the Inyo County Coroner. Authorities did not immediately release the hiker’s identity or provide additional details.
The body of a hiker who went missing while hiking California’s highest mountain has been found and identified.
A rescue helicopter responded to the location of an injured hiker on the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek Trail. The hiker was pronounced dead at the scene. (Niyo County Sheriff’s Office)
This is the third fatal hiker in the Mount Whitney area in the past week.
The bodies of two missing hikers were found Thursday on the north face of Mount Whitney. The hikers were identified as Andrew Niziol, 28, and Patti Bolan, 29, both of South Lake Tahoe. The two were on a long hiking trip across California.
Those who died so far were Andrew Nzior, 28, and Patti Bolan, 29. After the couple went missing, their bodies were found on the north face of Mount Whitney. (iStock/Andrew Nizior Facebook)
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Authorities warned people visiting the area to be aware of changing weather conditions as the seasons change.
Mount Whitney’s elevation is 14,505 feet. (Santi Visari/Getty Images, File)
“Early spring conditions prevail in the mountains, with dangerous steep snowfall, loose rock, and changeable weather,” the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Those involved in climbing Mt. Whitney should come together, change course, make responsible decisions, and be prepared and in good shape before the deteriorating situation gets out of hand.”
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Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in the continental United States, reaching an elevation of 14,505 feet. According to the National Park Service, more than 25,000 tourists a year attempt to climb Mount Whitney.
FOX News’ Stephanie Price contributed to this report.
