Missing UK actor Julian Sands: Searchers seek second hiker in same California area

Actor Julian Sands and now another man are missing on a snowy Californian mountain. Photo / AP

Rescue personnel in California have launched a search for a second hiker on the same snow-covered mountain where actor Julian Sands is missing.

The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in a statement its search and rescue team received a request Sunday to search for a 75-year-old Los Angeles man on 10,064-foot (3068m) Mt Baldy.

Jin Chung, of North Hollywood, was last seen around 6am on Sunday, the sheriff’s department said.

Chung carpooled to the mountain with two others and made plans to meet them at the vehicle at 2pm, but Chung did not return, authorities said. Ground crews searched unsuccessfully for Chung after he was reported missing.

The sheriff’s department said rescuers unsuccessfully continued searching for Sands on Mt Baldy over the weekend.

“Helicopters and drones continued to use infrared devices during the search however, all were negative for any signs of Sands,” the department’s statement said.

Sands, 65, was reported missing on January 13 while hiking.

Search and rescue crews began looking for him on the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, about 65km northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Storms have coated the mountain with heavy snow and ice, and searches have been thwarted by the threat of avalanches and foul weather, including powerful winds.

Authorities describe mountain conditions as extremely dangerous. Two hikers have died in recent weeks. One fell at least 150m down an icy slope.

Sands starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the 1985 British romance from director James Ivory, “A Room With a View”.

He also had major roles in in 1989′s “Warlock”, 1990′s “Arachnophobia”, 1991′s “Naked Lunch”, 1993′s “Boxing Helena”, and 1995′s “Leaving Las Vegas”.

Sands has worked consistently in the decades since with smaller roles in film and television.