Man Injured in Diving Accident

A Northridge man was hospitalized in critical condition Saturday after breaking his neck in a diving accident in Angeles National Forest.

Jack Hermosillo, 22, and his friends were diving 30 feet off rocks into a shallow pond when Hermosillo was injured, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Anderson.

The pond, a popular swimming hole about 50 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet deep, is shallower than normal now due to scanty rainfall. It is located off Angeles Forest Highway about 20 miles northwest of La Canada Flintridge.

Hermosillo was taken by Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

The accident was reported at 6:50 p.m. Friday night. Sheriff’s deputies blocked off the road while the helicopter lowered paramedics and supplies into the canyon, Anderson said. After lashing Hermosillo onto a backboard, paramedics placed him on a gurney, which was pulled up by the helicopter.

“We’ve had a few of these accidents here,” said Anderson. “Someone broke a leg about a month or two ago. Kids go out there and use it as a swimming pond.”