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Body Found In Angeles National Forest Confirmed As Missing Hiker

AZUSA (CBS/AP) — Authorities have confirmed that a body found in the Angeles National Forest is that of a 20-year-old hiker who was swept down a river.

City News Service says Los Angeles County coroner's officials have identified Joe Hai Ho Mong Le, a Golden West College student. The Anaheim man was swept away on Friday afternoon while trying to cross the San Gabriel River near Azusa, east of Los Angeles.

His hiking partner told authorities that Le was swept away while wading across the frigid, waist-high waters with the help of a rope strung across the river.

The rushing waters were swollen by melting snow.

Le's backpack was found hours later and his body was recovered downstream on Sunday.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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