Search for actor Julian Sands continues by helicopter as phone shows actor heading into wilderness

The search for British actor Julian Sands, who went missing on a hiking trip last Friday, is continuing by helicopter as authorities track Sands’ phone pings towards Mount Baldy in southern California.

Federal and state agencies in the United States said yesterday they would join the search amid worsening weather conditions and avalanche risks which have halted the work of ground crews. 

Phone signals two days after the Room with a View actor, 65, was reported missing showed Sands around one of the trails leading to the summit of Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California, police revealed previously.

Mr Sands was reported missing at around 7:30pm on Friday 13 January after failing to come back from a hike on Mount Baldy.

Julian Sands is pictured sitting on a peak of the Weisshorn mountain in the Swiss Alps 

Sands, 65, was reported missing by his family after disappearing in the dangerous mountain range. He is pictured in a recent image released by his family to police to aid the search

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The county sheriff’s department previously revealed that pings from the actor’s phone appeared to show he had been on the move heading further into the mountainous area of Baldy Bowl on the day he was reported missing, January 13.

Police also retrieved important phone data, showing that the West Yorkshire-born actor was still on the move on Sunday – but they have not been able to pick up any signal since due to his battery running low. 

Last Thursday, Julian’s family towed his car from a car park where it was discovered during the search. 

Ground and air searchers have so far been unable to locate any evidence to support with the investigation. 

Adverse weather conditions also saw ground crews pulled off the mountain last Saturday evening. 

The San Bernardino county sheriff’s department confirmed yesterday the current search is being conducted by helicopter only due to the risk of avalanche in the region. 

Authorities have given ‘no time set’ for when ground searches will resume. 

But department spokesperson Gloria Huerta said yesterday there was no timeline for ending the search at present, either.

Mr Sands went missing ‘doing what he loved best‘ during a hiking trip in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountain range.  

Julian’s family say they are ‘extremely worried’ but are praying for his safe return, but poor weather is currently hampering the rescue mission. 

His son Henry – himself an experienced hiker – flew out to California last weekend and is now assisting with the search of Mount Baldy. 

He was joined by his siblings, Natalya and Imogen on Thursday.