Female Teen Dies After Falling From Big Bear Dam Bridge

A late-night rescue operation at the Big Bear Dam ended in tragedy after a young woman fell more than 100 feet while reportedly climbing beneath the Highway 18 bridge.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. on July 15, 2026, first responders began receiving reports that a woman had fallen from the Highway 18 Big Bear Dam Bridge.

Initial reports indicated the victim may have landed in the water, prompting firefighters to prepare for a possible water rescue. As crews searched the area, they were directed to the actual location of the victim on the rocky creek bed far below the bridge.

By approximately 11:00 p.m., the incident was upgraded to a full physical rescue.

Firefighters hiked into the rugged terrain and located an approximately 18-year-old woman who was unresponsive. According to radio traffic, CPR was initiated but was later discontinued after lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operation then transitioned into a recovery mission, with crews using specialized equipment to hoist the victim back up to the bridge.

According to first responders at the scene, the woman had reportedly been climbing one of the massive concrete arches beneath the bridge with others when she lost her footing and fell more than 100 feet onto the rocks below.

Firefighters noted that this was not the first incident of its kind at the bridge, stating they have responded to similar falls in the past.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

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