A woman lost her life while attempting to assist a teenager who had slipped at the popular Three Sisters Falls hiking trail in Southern California.
The accident took place in the unincorporated area of Descanso, within the Cleveland National Forest, on the morning of Thursday, June 8. The deceased, identified as 48-year-old Sarah Louise Crocker, was hiking with a group that included four teenagers. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office referred to them as “family and family friends.”
While hiking near the middle pool of the falls, one of the teenagers lost her balance. In an attempt to save her, Crocker reached out but unfortunately lost her own balance. Both fell over the waterfall, landing in the pool below and sustaining significant injuries.
Even though onlookers immediately tried to help, Crocker could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was identified as multiple blunt force injuries and drowning, with the medical examiner ruling it an accident. The injured teenager was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Three Sisters Falls, situated in eastern San Diego County, is known for its challenging trails, which include three expansive waterfalls set against a backdrop of rocky mountains. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, Lieutenant Jeff Ford, commented that injuries and rescues are common at the location, but deaths are unusual. The majority of incidents occur in the summer, often due to heat exhaustion or minor injuries.
