Hiker who died in Sequoia National Park identified

A hiker who died in Sequoia National Park has been identified as Cory Proud, 26, of Tustin, the Tulare County Coroner’s Office said Monday.

The hiker’s cause of death is unknown but should be determined this week, the coroner’s office said.

Shortly after 6 p.m. on May 20, a hiker arrived at the Lodgepole Visitor Center to report that his hiking partner needed medical assistance for abdominal pain. Two people were in the party, the Park Service said.

Two rangers with emergency medical training hiked six miles from Giant Forest to Mehrten Creek on the High Sierra Trail. They arrived about 11:30 p.m. and found him dead.

The next morning, Proud’s body was taken by helicopter to the park entrance at Ash Mountain and given to the coroner about 10:40 a.m.

A total of 10 park staff assisted with search-and-rescue and recovery operations and the incident is under investigation, the Park Service said.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Hiker who died in Sequoia National Park identified."