Two rock climbers found dead

Two rock climbers were found dead near Tahquitz Rock in Idyllwild after they were reported to be injured, authorities said Thursday.

The Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said it responded to the scene after a bystander reported the accident about 12:25 p.m. Wednesday.

Rescuers struggled to access the area; when they arrived, they discovered the climbers, and both were dead, according to the department. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department later identified the two as Gavin Escobar, 31, a Long Beach firefighter, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, both of Huntington Beach. Escobar was a former tight end with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, the department said.

A spokeswoman for the Sheriff ’s Department, which is leading the investigation into the deaths, said there did not appear to be evidence of foul play.

About 0.2 inches of rain fell in the Idyllwild region around the time of the accident. The Sheriff’s Department said it was not clear whether that was a factor in the deaths.

Tahquitz Rock, with its steep granite cliffs, is a popular locale for climbers across California.

Climbers have died in the area, also known as Lily Rock, before. Two San Fernando Valley residents fell 200 feet to their deaths there in 2000.