Screaming for help, a hiker was rescued after falling over a waterfall and landing 25 feet down in "a rocky pool," according to officials in Southern California. The incident took placein the unincorporated community of Forest Fallson Sunday, Aug. 3, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District reported. San Bernadino is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. At 3:45 p.m., the agency posted on X, crews responded to Big Falls, a popular hiking destination in the county about85 miles east of Los Angeles. The agency reported the hiker had lost his footing and fallen 25 feet while attempting to cross "a slippery portion of the falls." While the firefighters who initially responded could not see the hiker, they could hear "cries for help," the department said. Bikers injured in crash:1 dead, 17 injured during 1st weekend of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Footage released by the department shows a rescue helicopter lifting the hiker off the rocks, towing him after he is secured by first responders in aStokes basket. The hiker was taken to a local trauma center to be treated for unspecified injuries, the agency wrote. His condition was not immediately known on Tuesday. No other injuries were reported in connection with the fall, officials said. In its announcement, the fire agency urged visitors to stay on marked trails, avoid climbing on or around waterfalls, and keep a safe distance from slippery or steep areas. "We respond to incidents at this popular location often, where people are seriously injured, so please make smart choices and stay safe," the agency wrote. The fire agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hiker falls over waterfall in Forest Falls, plummeting 25 feet
