"We ride on trails at the top of the highest mountains, where the exposed cliffs can mean a fall of 300 feet. Mountain bikers often lose control and go over the bars. A number of friends have fallen off the side, and it is usually 10-30 feet. Here is something for us to think about." -JP

GLENDORA, Calif. - A couple taking a walk near the San Gabriel Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest fell to their deaths early Thursday, tumbling about 150 feet down an embankment, authorities said.

Raul Urrutia, 22, of Temple City, and Natalie Torres, 17, of Baldwin Park, had parked along Highway 39, also known as San Gabriel Canyon Road, near mile marker 24 north of Glendora.

They were walking around the forest at about 1:30 a.m., "apparently not realizing how close they were to a very steep drop-off," when they stepped over the side of the embankment, according to Lt. Roxanna Hart of the sheriff's San Dimas Station.

Another couple -- friends of the victims who had remained at the vehicle -- heard screams, went to investigate and found the girl some distance down the embankment, Hart said.

The girl was brought to safety, but apparently decided to try to find Urrutia and then fell to her death, Hart said.

The friends who were with them reported the fall to authorities, Hart said.

The victims were later found in a pool of water produced by the reservoir, just south of the San Gabriel Dam, Hart said.