A teenage boy died Wednesday after falling from the Cedar Creek Falls in Julian, a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman said. Officials say the recent death means it's time to educate the public.
The victim, 16-year-old Joseph Meram, was hiking with his family when he slipped and fell down a steep cliff, landing in the water below. He was reported injured at about 11:30 a.m. and was airlifted from the falls to an ambulance. CPR efforts were initiated, but he failed to respond and was pronounced dead in the ambulance. An examination has not yet been performed.
A second teenage male was injured when the victim slid into him. Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies transported him to Palomar Hospital for treatment.
Thursday, after hearing the news, hikers still decided to brave the trail but admitted it can be dangerous.
"You don't know how much water is down there and some cliffs are higher than others. Some get slippery when people are jumping off them and the rocks wet themselves," hiker Christopher Hurst, said.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said it assisted the US Forest Service in 48 rescues last year. There have been 27 rescues this year, and many of those are dangerous and expensive helicopter rescues.
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