Davis man identified as Echo Summit fall victim

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The man who died after falling off a cliff on Echo Summit December 9, 2018 has been identified as 21-year-old Tanner Dixon from Davis, Calif.

At 5:15 p.m. on the 9th, deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) were called to an area on Highway 50 near Echo Summit after a bicycle and personal belongings were found alongside the road. Deputies found footprints in the snow leading from the bicycle toward the edge of the cliff.

Fearing someone had fallen off the cliff, deputies conducted a search of the area and were joined by EDSO Search and Rescue teams who rappelled down from the road. The Calstar 6 helicopter also assisted but no one was found. The search began at darkness in freezing temperatures and it was suspended at approximately 9:00 p.m.

At 6:00 a.m. the following day, the search resumed as a combined effort between El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Search and Rescue and California Highway Patrol’s helicopter crew (H20).

Ultimately, the search team located a deceased male at the bottom of the cliff. He had injuries consistent with a fall from the cliff. Search and Rescue teams with the assistance of a CHP helicopter H20 were able to hoist the man out.

The next of kin has been notified. No further details are available at this time.