GLENDALE : Falling Rocks Injure 3 Firefighters During Rescue

Three Glendale firefighters trying to rescue an injured hiker Thursday at Brand Park suffered minor neck, head and back injuries after being knocked unconscious by falling rocks, officials said.

Firefighters Greg Godfrey and Ralph Muzquiz were flown to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, said Battalion Chief Mike Carter. Godfrey was treated and released, and Muzquiz was listed in good condition Thursday, hospital officials said. The third firefighter, Carlos Guerrero, was treated for knee injuries at Glendale Adventist Medical Center and released.

The 18-year-old hiker, Jason Frane, identified by authorities as a transient, was flown to County-USC Medical Center where he was listed in good condition with leg injuries suffered when he fell about 200 feet from a trail at the 1,700-foot level of the park at about 10:25 a.m. Rescuers said the hiker fell whenl he tried to retrieve his pack.

Eight firefighters had reached Frane and were waiting for a helicopter to airlift him out when rocks as large as basketballs started rolling toward them, injuring the three.

The remaining firefighters were able to complete the airlift rescue.