No bill will be sent to lost hikers

The two Costa Mesa hikers lost in Trabuco Canyon for several nights will not be billed for the days-long effort to bring them home, officials said Wednesday.

The search, which included agencies from Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, stretched from March 31, Easter Sunday, through April 4 when Kyndall Jack, 18, was rescued from a rocky mountainside. Rescuers had found and rescued Nicolas Cendoya, 19, the night before.

Neither teen will be billed for the rescue efforts, according to Gail Krause, public relations manager for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Cendoya and Jack could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

An OCSD reserve deputy who fell 60 feet during Jack’s rescue is now in good condition and undergoing rehabilitation and physical therapy, Krause said.

Those who wish to contribute to his recovery can make donations to Project 999 at P.O. Box 241, Santa Ana, CA. 92702. Project 999 supports injured or killed officers and their family members in Orange County, Krause said.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30