Hiker Airlifted from Eaton Canyon

A 19-year-old hiking in the Eaton Canyon area with a bunch of other teenagers fell during a climb and was hospitalized with moderate injuries on Tuesday, according to Inspector Frederic Stowers of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The teen had been hiking in the area with eight other male hikers betwen the ages of 15 and 19 around 5 p.m., according to Sgt. Tracy Stewart of the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

The injured hiker fell near the waterfall, which is several miles up the canyon.  Two of the other hikers climbed down to help him, Stowers said, and ended up with minor injuries.

They were walked out by search and rescue teams, he added.

The helicopter rescue took place around 6 p.m.,  Stowers added, and the hiker who fell was hospitalized.

According to an account on the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team blog, the hiker fell 80 feet.

The Eaton Canyon area is a frequent source of injury for local hikers.  Another was done in the area earlier this month.

The waterfall area in particular is a popular area for climbers who attempt to get over the steep slope to get to additional waterfall areas that are higher up.  Some also jump or slide between pools, as can be seen in numerous videos that have been posted to YouTube.