Yosemite Rangers Search For Hikers Believed Swept Over Falls

FRESNO, Calif. — A search and rescue operation at Yosemite National Park is set to resume at first light Wednesday in an area below a popular waterfall after witnesses reported seeing at least one hiker swept over the falls.

Darkness forced park officials to call off the search that began Tuesday afternoon following multiple emergency calls from witnesses who said one or more hikers went into the water and over 317-foot Vernal Fall.

By Tuesday night, investigators were still trying to clear up conflicting accounts of the incident from witnesses at the top of the falls while rangers combed the Merced River corridor in search of possible victims, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said.

She said investigators were also interviewing visitors along the trails below.

Rangers immediately closed the Mist Trail, a popular hike with tourists that leads to the waterfall, following the incident.

Park officials often close areas when they feel a body might be recovered. Visitors were traumatized in May when a hiker slipped and fell into the Merced River. His body snagged on a rock and rescuers were not able to reach it for hours.

Record snowfall has created spectacular waterfalls in the park, but it's a treacherous beauty. Visitors often underestimate the force of water, and the mist from waterfalls creates slippery conditions on trails.

At least eight people have died in the park this year, Cobb said. Two men died after being swept off a bridge near the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in June. One man who disappeared while hiking near Yosemite Falls with his church group is still missing.

The Mist Trail will be closed until at least noon on Wednesday, possibly longer.

The path to the top of Vernal Falls, a three-mile trek with a 1,000-foot rise in elevation, is one of the most popular hikes in the park. At the top a guardrail separates visitors from the treacherous water, and signs in multiple languages warn visitors of the danger created by slippery boulders. Published accounts say that 13 people have died by falling over since records began being kept in the 1920s.

Comments

[Jane Michaels]

06:08 PM on 08/25/2011

This is what happens when liberals insist all kids wear wrist, chin and knee guards, helmets and remove monkey bars from playgrounds. Children must learn a respect for the laws of physics with a lesser degree of harm at a younger age. Oh well. A busted lip at a young age can save that same person's life later on...

[bcarter436]

01:57 PM on 07/21/2011

Darwin theory at it's best.....survival of the fittest. You can't fix stupid. I feel for the families and their loss but this is classic idiotic behavior having a tragic but predictable result.

[DG3]

08:09 AM on 07/21/2011

"Ignoring posted signs and repeated warnings, they had climbed over the metal-bar barricade to get in the Merced River about 25 feet from the edge of the falls."

This is almost starting to sound like a cult suicide or something. Who the heck willfully gets in a river 10 yards from it going over a waterfall?

[Ed OBrien]

10:55 PM on 07/20/2011

Once again, the "Fluff Post" doesn't give the full details and/or just plain gets it wrong. There are THREE hikers that fell over the falls, not just one. How come the local news stations and local news papers in the Fresno and San Francisco area have the correct info and but the Huff-Fluff story does not have it?

[capnamerca]

11:18 PM on 07/20/2011

This story is from Tuesday night. As the article points out the authorities at that time were trying to sort it all out due to the fact they had multiple reports from different people, and if you know how that works, there's generally plenty of confusion.

Anyway, this article does not claim it was only one hiker that fell. It says "at least one". So, maybe you could read a little closer before you start bashing the publisher. Just a suggestion.

[capnamerca]

06:32 AM on 07/21/2011

I always wonder why anyone would even frequent a website, all the while, knocking the editors and bemoaning the content. You know, I despise rags like "Enquirer". After I read one, I never, ever read the second one. I guess some people just have to have something to whine about. Seems you already had the truth, but just came here to nitpick.

[SharkMerry]

05:33 PM on 08/24/2011

is it really wrong of Mr. O'brien to express his dissatisfaction with a website that is supposed to report the news. Seems like you relegated his points to "whining." Have you considered he came here to see if there were more facts. I know I certainly look at more than 1 article. maybe you shouldnt whine about people "whining" (you know, what i would call free speech)

[dbrett480]

08:25 PM on 07/20/2011

This is why the safety railing and warnings were not just put there for "fun."

[graber4543]

06:48 PM on 07/20/2011

Natures way of improving the gene pool.

[Vickie Sampson]

06:21 PM on 07/20/2011

When we lived in Sonora, about an hour and half from Yosemite we visited the park often. The one thing I always told family & friends that would go with us there was....ALWAYS read the signs and never go somewhere that signs suggest not too, in other words, try not to be a hero or most importantly a statistic. The park is very beautiful, but can be very dangerous as well. Our Son at age 4 almost drowned in one of the smaller rivers, less moving water in the park. He stepped into the water, slipped on a wet, smooth rock, standing next to his Dad, and went in. Dad was close enough to just run and grab him a few feet away. So my point is, just be very careful. As i said before, it's a beautiful park but can turn very dangerous in a blink of an eye. Just use your head and don't take any unnecessary chances.

[skyeagle]

03:13 PM on 07/20/2011

Perhaps we need a primer on what is a tragedy. A tragedy is watching a five year old die of cancer in a children's hospital. Their names are never mentioned outside an obit. They will never have the opporunity to stand on slippery rocks over a waterfall, tempting fate to get a better look, or a cheap rush, or maybe just to impress their friends or girl friend. If you want to help and comfort those in need may I suggest some volunteer work in a children's ward in a hospital. You do not realize how much good you can do.

[Francine LavigneTeague]

03:07 PM on 07/20/2011

If they do find someone, it will be sad for the family of the victim or victims. However, all your comments regarding little and/or lack of common sense and who should be blamed has me lol. People everyday seem to think that they can handle anything and ignore safety tips. I, myself would never ever try to swim near a waterfall. call me chicken or wait maybe I have some common sense. :-) Thanks all for brightning up my boring day.

[mdennis7352]

01:59 PM on 07/20/2011

I love the outdoors, hiking,kayaking, biiking, trail running etc but just like every time you do any activity there is calculated risk. People who go beyond the normal risk of these activities are increasing there risk going off trail, into water with current etc. So calculate your risk live how you want etc but don't expect me to cry if you take greater risk and get hurt or die. Then again don't expect sympathy if you just sit on a chair in front of your computer and never experience the thrill that some of us find climbing a mountain.
I do have a problem with charging people for being rescued, for my part I would rather sign a waiver stating I don't want to be rescued if I can't get my own (&( out of it. if you don't sign a waiver you pay the bill (over 18). My son and I were in a rip tide before, 14 were rescued 2 (us) got out by ourselves. I'm not bragging and I have no prob. with rescues in normal situations but when you stray off course or go where the majority are not, don't be suprised if it bites you in the butt.

[nvdesertdreamer]

01:13 PM on 07/20/2011

Stupid people thinking the warning signs don't apply to them.

[Reno Sage]

12:23 PM on 07/20/2011

I agree the government should be held accountable. This morning I was distracted by the bright sun and smashed my knee against the door of my truck while climbing in. Stupid government, I should be compensated for: Not being protected from the Sun (EPA) and smashing my knee against a dangerous door (DOT). Everyone else should be held responsible for other peoples actions.

[Joe Hennes]

01:12 PM on 07/20/2011

You forgot the people who paved the surface you were parked on. Really was their fault.

[L1A1H1]

12:18 PM on 07/20/2011

I just love the way you nature lovers commit suicide for our entertainment. And why? Because it's there, of course. If they really fell 317 feet, you're now looking for hamburgers. Now, please send me your oh, so dignified and angry responses. I can't wait to see how you illiterates betray yourselves.

[KOPman]

03:44 PM on 07/20/2011

They were people visiting a National Park. So, anyone that visits a National Park is a "nature lover"? The U.S. National Park system(the first in the world) is for everyone, nature lover or not. And for that matter, what's wrong with being a "nature lover"? Why is that a pejorative? It certaintly isn't, except apparently for people like yourself who would rather spend their entire lives surrounded by concrete and asphalt, smog and trash. Teddy Roosevelt was a nature lover(and instrumental in the creation of the NPS) and ten times the man you are.

[capnamerca]

11:28 PM on 07/20/2011

Illiterates? Hmmm . . . OK, well I'll tell you what. I've seen people that have fallen this far and farther. Doesn't turn them into hamburger as you suggest. What happens to the body just depends on how it lands, and what it lands on. As far as nature lovers go, I rather doubt these folks would qualify as expert outdoors-men.

On another note, did you really log on here and comment just to see how many people you could insult, or does your superior literacy in some way inhibit your ability to comprehend the stupidity of your words?

It's really no wonder civilization is falling apart.

[dave0mary]

12:11 PM on 07/20/2011

Stupid comments here about guardrails and MORE protection remind me of the time I drove my fam to Niagra Falls several years ago. As you drive to the Canadian side, you see a beautiful park. So I stopped. Stunningly beautiful. I noticed a fencepost wiggling near the edge to the deep ravine. As I looked over, I saw a man climbing up the rope to the top. (Rapelling?) When he reached the top, I said "they let you go over the edge with a rope?!" And "there's no laws to keep you from doing this"? His quick answer was "you must be from the US".

[commentwhennec]

12:10 PM on 07/20/2011

People who often allow themselves into very dangerous situations often have a death wish. But that emotion helps them feel free while they are alive. This emotion will never cease in humans.