PASADENA — Authorities Tuesday released the name of a young man who was killed in a fall from a waterfall in Eaton Canyon.
Erwin Molina, 21, was pronounced dead at Huntington Hospital shortly after falling from the first waterfall of Eaton Canyon Falls about 6:30 p.m. Monday, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner’s Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. Coroner’s officials listed the man as 21 years old, while fire officials listed him as 26.
The victim’s city of residency was not clear Tuesday afternoon.
After losing his footing and falling about 35 feet from the top of Eaton Canyon Falls, the young man landed on some rocks, fire officials said.
“He was already in critical condition when we arrived,” Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
He was flown by helicopter to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Molina was hiking with three companions when he fell, Derderian said.
Monday’s fatal fall was the second incident involving an troubled hiker at the Eaton Canyon Falls.
About 15 minutes before Molina fell from the falls, the sheriff’s Altadena Search and Rescue Team rescued a 17-year-old Altadena boy who had become stranded on a ledge near the same waterfall, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Robert Blume said in a written statement.
“A Pasadena resident was hiking along the trail, when she heard a male teen yelling from a ledge near the first waterfall,” Blume said. The teen was unable to get himself down from the ledge.
“Sheriff’s rescue team members rapelled down the cliff and lowered the teen to safety using ropes and rapelling equipment,” Blume said.
The teen was unhurt.
Another man, 22, was hiking about 5 p.m. July 17 between the first and second waterfalls when he injured his ankle and was unable to get out of the canyon alone, officials said. He called for help with a cell phone.
Rescuers found the man and flew him to an area hospital.
Many of the injuries rescuers see in Eaton Canyon occur between the first and second waterfalls, Derderian said. “It’s challenging terrain.”
Officials advised hikers to be prepared and be cautious while enjoying the foothill wildlands.
