Injured Search and Rescue Volunteer Settles Suit Against Lost Trabuco Hiker

A settlement was approved today in a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court by a volunteer who suffered spinal injuries while trying to rescue a woman who got lost while hiking in Trabuco Canyon with a friend.

Nick Papageorge’s sued Kyndall Jack, who went missing along with friend Nic Cendoya while hiking in the Cleveland National Forest in April 2013. The plaintiff was hurt while trying to find the two.

Cendoya was found first, and Jack was arrested the following morning.

Cendoya later pleaded guilty to possessing 497 milligrams of methamphetamine that was found in his car in a parking lot.

Papageorge’s has recovered from his injuries, his attorney Eric Dubin said.

“He is doing great, fully recovered, and grateful everything has been fully resolved,” Dubin said. “We wish all the best for everybody involved.”

The terms of the settlement were not released.

Papageorge’s fell 110 feet down a cliff while searching for Jack, breaking his spine. He had to have titanium screws put in his back at one point.

The lawsuit alleged Jack created the emergency through her negligence.

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