Woman, 59, Swept Away While Crossing California River During Hike with Friends

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told PEOPLE Tuesday that there is no update on the search

Missing LA Woman Missing LA Woman
Authorities are searching for a 59-year-old woman who was swept away by the San Gabriel River in the Angeles National Forest on Saturday. Photo:

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department/Facebook

  • A 59-year-old woman vanished after she was swept away by the San Gabriel River while hiking with friends in the Angeles National Forest on Saturday, authorities said
  • Her identity has not been released at this time
  • The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Monday that it deployed about 60 personnel to the scene amid the search

A 59-year-old woman is missing after she was swept away by a river in California while hiking with friends in the Angeles National Forest over the weekend.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a Facebook post on Monday that the San Dimas Station received reports on Saturday around 9:50 a.m. local time of a woman who was swept away by strong river currents near the Heaton Flats Trail.

The woman was hiking with friends on a trail when she tried to cross the San Gabriel River.

"Shortly thereafter, the woman lost her footing and was swept away by the rapid currents," the department added. "The woman was last seen heading downstream."

Following the incident, authorities said the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team and the L.A. County Fire Department responded, and a search for the woman began.

Her identity has not immediately been released.

The department told PEOPLE on Tuesday that there is no further update at this time. 

In the search for the victim, the sheriff's department has deployed about 60 personnel to the scene since her disappearance.

"The Department has utilized multiple resources to assist in the search, including Mountain Rescue Teams, Special Enforcement Bureau’s EMTs, U.S. Forest Service personnel, air rescue support and an unmanned aircraft," authorities added.

Given the nature of "the treacherous terrain and strong river currents," the department noted that search and rescue personnel have had to be airlifted for the search.

San Dimas Station said officials encourage individuals to "use extreme caution when crossing streams, rivers or creeks." They added, "Water is powerful, even in seemingly calmer sections."

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The agency shared tips that included crossing "calmer sections of current, even if that means hiking up or downstream to find a better crossing," as well as avoiding "water that is higher than your knees."

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