Hiker, 77, Rescued After Falling 40 Feet Down Ravine

GLENDALE (CBS) — A 77-year-old man who fell 40 feet into a ravine near Angeles National Forest Sunday morning was later rescued, sheriff's officials said.

The man suffered only minor injuries in the fall.

He had been hiking alone for hours on The Loop Trail in the Deukmeijian Wilderness Park when he fell into the ravine and became disoriented, said Captain Mike Parker of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

"Although injured, he was actually very fortunate to have been able to get cell phone service and called his wife," Parker said in a statement. "He knew he was near Mount Lukens but said he was disoriented and had broken his eyeglasses."

The man's wife called deputies at 7:30 a.m. and a search began, Parker said.

Sheriff's ground rescue personnel and an Air-5 Rescue helicopter scoured the area, and found him west of the main trail around 11 a.m., Parker said.

"His injuries were minor, so he was flown to the command post and able to return home," Parker said.

Parker encouraged hikers to have a hiking or camping plan and fill out the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Hiking Plan Sheet available at http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1--163961.pdf.

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