Search and rescue teams today found 15 missing members of a church group who failed to return as scheduled from a hike in Eaton Canyon Park after one of them suffered a minor injury.
Search crews first responded to the area after 10 p.m. Sunday, when officials were notified that the hikers were missing, Deputy Kelvin Moody said.
A search by ground teams was conducted in the pre-dawn hours, and two helicopter crews were added about 7 a.m. About two hours later, a helicopter crew spotted the group, and all were accounted for, said Deputy Johnie Jones.
A paramedic was lowered from the helicopter to examine the hikers, who were then hoisted to a triage area, Jones said. The hikers were then taken to the command post to be reunited with their families, Jones said.
The sister of one of the hikers said the group was well-prepared for the hike, but they apparently lost cell phone service.
“They came with food, they came with water, they came with harnesses and everything,” Anajancy Armenta said. “Unfortunately, one of our members did get a minor injury, and … what they decided to do is stay the night, and they prepared a shelter, and they did well.”
The 15 hikers ranged in age from 14 to 36, and four of them are juveniles, Jones said. Two people whom deputies encountered late Sunday night in the area were not among the missing hikers as had been thought, but were other people who had gone to the scene to try to find the group, Jones said.
The group is associated with a Seventh Day Adventist church in Huntington Park, according to reports from the scene.
Shortly before the hikers were found, another hiker who was not connected with the group was also hoisted from the rugged terrain, Jones said.
