(This story has been updated with additional information.)
A 52-year-old woman was killed after being struck in the head by what authorities believe was a falling rock while hiking near Lytle Creek on Sunday afternoon.
The incident was first reported just after 3:10 p.m. in the Bonita Falls area, along a hiking trail near the 900 block of South Fork Road, according to California Highway Patrol logs and San Bernardino County coroner’s records.
It was initially reported that the victim had been struck by a falling tree branch, but later believed a rock was responsible.
A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team was requested to assist due to the rugged terrain.
Following preliminary investigation, it was determined that the woman “was hiking near Bonita Falls, and a large boulder came down from the hillside and hit the woman in the head,” sheriff’s department spokeswoman Jenny Smith said. “Sadly she did not survive.”
Coroner’s officials identified the victim as Lillian Rodriguez, 52, of Redlands.
No further details were available.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hiker killed by falling rock near Lytle Creek
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
