MT. BALDY – (INT) – A hiker’s body has been recovered from below the peak of one of Southern California’s highest mountains.

Daniel Nguyen had been trying to traverse the Devil’s Backbone, a narrow ridge just below the summit of Mt. Baldy. The coroner says Nguyen slipped and fell from the icy ridge Tuesday.

Nguyen, 23, of Westminster was killed in the 1,500 foot fall.

His hiking companion reported the incident by cell phone. A sheriff’s helicopter crew spotted his body an hour and a half later, but it took 8-hours to recover the victim.

Story Date: February 7, 2016