Julian Sands, the British star of Oscar-nominated films including A Room With a View, has been missing for almost a week in an “extremely dangerous” California mountain range where two hikers have died in recent weeks, police have revealed.
Sands, 65, was reported missing by his family around 7:30 p.m. Friday after disappearing while hiking in the Mount Baldy area of California’s San Gabriel Mountains — where two hikers have died in recent weeks.
Officials tried to search for the star on Saturday but had to abandon it as a storm rolled in and it hasn’t been safe enough to restart it since.
Separately, another hiker, California resident Bob Gregory, is being sought in the Crystal Lake area of the mountain range.
A spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said, “On Friday at approximately 7:30 p.m., a hiker, identified as Julian Sands, 65, of North Hollywood, was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area of Baldy Mountain.
Sands, 65, was reported missing by his family around 7.30pm on Friday after disappearing into the dangerous mountain range. He is pictured in a recent image provided by his family to police to assist in the search
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says winter weather on Baldy Peak can lead to “hazardous conditions” and urged hikers to think twice before traversing the area
Two hikers die on Mt Baldy in four weeks in ‘extremely dangerous’ conditions
Two people have died in recent days while trying to climb the same mountain area, one of Los Angeles’ most popular trails.
Crystal Paula Gonzalez, a mother of four described as the “queen of dancing hiking,” is believed to have slipped and fallen 700 feet into Baldy Bowl.
A helicopter was immediately dispatched and soon found Gonzalez “down on a steep and icy hill surrounded by numerous helpful hikers helping in any way they could,” according to an incident report.
On December 28, Jarrett Choi, 43, of LA, was hiking the Ice House Canyon Trail when he fell near the Ice House Saddle ridge line.
He was found two days later, after a search hampered by extreme weather conditions.
And on December 17, four people had to be rescued by helicopter from the mountain after icy conditions made it impossible to move.
“Search and rescue teams responded and began a search. Due to trail conditions and avalanche risk, ground crews were pulled off the mountain Saturday evening.
“However, we continue to search with helicopters and drones when the weather permits. We will plan another ground search when the weather improves and it is safe for our ground teams.
Distraught friends and former colleagues of Sands, who also starred in supernatural horror Warlock, took to social media to send their well wishes as the search continues.
Film producer Cassian Elwes, brother of Robin Hood star Carrey and a family friend of Sands, said: “I have known since Friday that my friend Julian Sands has been missing on mt Baldy.
“I am devastated. A very close family friend who was adventurous in everything he did. I said many prayers.
Screenwriter Brian Lynch, whose credits include Secret Life of Pets and Minions, added: “Oh no! I love Julian Sands! I hope it is discovered as soon as possible.
American actress and dancer Melanie Kinnaman also wrote: “Our friend Julian Sands has been missing from a hike in the mountains of Southern California for almost a week.
“The Baldy Mountain area is actively being searched. Please send prayers for his safe return.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s department warned that “severe mountain weather is difficult” and air resources are limited, while its search and rescue team has been called to 14 incidents in the past four weeks alone.
He urged hikers to think twice before hitting the trails amid “extremely dangerous” conditions.
British actor and “Room with a View” star Julian Sands, 65, has been named as one of two missing hikers in California’s San Gabriel Mountains. He is pictured here in 2020
Warning sign in mountain range amid ‘extremely dangerous’ conditions that have killed two hikers in recent weeks
Sands pictured with co-star Helena Bonham Carter on the set of A Room With a View in 1986.
Sands is known for his roles in several films, including the 1985 feature A Room with a View, Warlock and Leaving Las Vegas
It comes as two people have died in recent days while trying to climb the same mountain area – one of Los Angeles’ most popular trails.
Crystal Paula Gonzalez, a mother of four described as the “queen of dancing hiking,” is believed to have slipped and fallen 700 feet into Baldy Bowl.
A helicopter was immediately dispatched and soon found Gonzalez “down on a steep and icy hill surrounded by numerous helpful hikers helping in any way they could,” according to an incident report.
On December 28, Jarrett Choi, 43, of LA, was hiking the Ice House Canyon Trail when he fell near the Ice House Saddle ridge line.
He was found two days later, after a search hampered by extreme weather conditions.
And on December 17, four people had to be rescued by helicopter from the mountain after icy conditions made it impossible to move.
Meanwhile, the Sherriff’s Department’s alert reads: “Over the past four weeks, San Bernardino County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams have responded to 14 rescue missions on Baldy Peak and the surrounding area.
“These rescue missions are for lost, stranded and/or injured hikers. Unfortunately, in the last 4 weeks, two hikers did not survive after falling and injuring themselves.
Sands and Helena Bonham Carter on the set of the 1985 romantic film A Room With a View
Sands pictured with Denholm Elliott during the filming of the popular film, which received universal acclaim
It is currently unclear why Sands was in the area and whether he was walking alone or with another person
“Please know that the current conditions on Mount Baldy are unfavorable and extremely dangerous. Due to the strong winds, the snow has turned into ice, making the treks extremely dangerous.
“Sheriff’s search and rescue efforts are often hampered by inclement weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions. The recent storms that brought the snow and icy conditions have not been kind to hikers, even those who think they have a high level of experience.
Sands is best known for his roles in several films, including the 1985 feature A Room With a View, Warlock and Leaving Las Vegas.
It is unclear why Sands was in the area and whether he was traveling alone or with another person.
A father of three, Sands has been married twice.
His first marriage, from 1984 to 1987, was to journalist Sarah Sands, who went on to edit publications including the Sunday Telegraph and the Evening Standard in London, as well as the influential Today program on BBC Radio 4. The couple have a son, Henry.
The actor also has two daughters from journalist Evgenia Tsitkovits, whom he married in 1990.
Meanwhile, a separate search is underway for another hiker, Bob Gregory of Hawthorne, in the Crystal Lake area of the mountain range.
Gregory’s family told the publication that he went missing on Monday and that they are “distraught” and “fearful that he may have injured himself and fell.”
Gonzalez, a Covina mother of four, was passionate about hiking, mountain biking and the outdoors
Treacherous conditions in the San Bernardino Mountains mean search and rescue efforts are “hindered by severe weather,” along with the possibility of “dangerous avalanche conditions.”
His relative added that police were in the process of looking for his mobile phone, while search teams searched the area on the ground and from the air on Tuesday.
The sheriff’s department urged visitors to follow simple tips to stay safe.
These include: “Following all posted warning signs, looking at the weather conditions (both current and forecast) for the area, making sure you have the right gear, training and being properly prepared for alpine conditions (scratches, ice axe, suitable clothing), taking a hiking partner by taking a tracking or GPS device such as a SPOT device or an INREACH device, making sure all mobile phones are fully charged and carrying a charged extra power pack for it.
They also told visitors to let someone know where and when they were going, what time they would be back and “most importantly” not to go if there was any doubt about the pitch.
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