Los Angeles Fire Department

Woman Falls to Her Death Off Cliff in San Pedro

A 21-year-old woman died Friday when she fell off a seaside cliff near Point Fermin in San Pedro as she was trying to get a better view of the ocean.

Firefighters were dispatched about 2:10 p.m. to the 500 block of West Paseo del Mar to assist police and coroner's personnel at the scene, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The woman, identified by coroner's officials as Lorena Barrera of Sparks, Nevada, was found dead at the base of the cliff.

Barrera was a newcomer to the area and wanted to see the beach, investigators said. The woman climbed up a concrete, 3-feet barrier that separates the walkway and the cliff. She tripped over her sandals, and plunged down to the rocks below, investigators said.

Rescuers hoisted her body from the sand.

"These places are not that stable. You have to be careful wherever you go especially if you're just trying to get a good view," said Andres Juarez, Gardena resident.

Those who come to Point Fermin often are well aware of its beauty and its dangers.

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"You can see that it's a steep ledge. It's unfortunate," said Ashley Guerra, a Wilmington resident.

Signs warning of the unstable, slippery and deep drop below are posted along the concrete wall.

The cliff is the site of many deadly falls through the years, including two deaths last week.

"It happens all the time over here, left and right , a lot of young people. You see the railing here -- tells you don't go over and try to take pictures. A lot of people take chances -- consequences ends up like this," said Cecil Reynolds, a San Pedro resident.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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