Hiker falls 1,500 feet to death in Mount Baldy while rescuing friend

MOUNT BALDY, Calif. (KABC) -- A hiker fell to his death in Mount Baldy while trying to rescue a friend who was slipping down a mountainside on Tuesday.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said it received a call from the friend of 23-year-old Daniel Nguyen, who reported Nguyen missing.

Deputies said Nguyen was hiking in the Devil's Backbone area of Mount Baldy when he fell 1,500 feet.

Nguyen's body was located by helicopter just after 9 a.m. He was pronounced dead several hours later.

Tao Nguyen, Daniel Nguyen's father, said investigators told him his son fell while rescuing a friend who had slipped on the mountainside.

"This hurt me so bad. Hurt me so bad," Tao Nguyen said. "I don't know how I'm going to do the next few days, hopefully I can get better."

Friends and family said Daniel Nguyen had recently graduated from California State University, Long Beach and enjoyed outdoor activities.

Daniel Nguyen had aspired to join the Peace Corps or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to friends.

A GoFundMe account has been started to help Daniel Nguyen's family with funeral costs. If you're interested in donating, you can learn more here.