One or More Hikers Swept Over Vernal Fall
National Park officials have received unconfirmed reports of one or more visitors going over Vernal Fall early Tuesday afternoon. Rangers are currently on scene conducting a search and rescue operation.
Due to search and the dangerous conditions in the area, the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park has been temporarily closed until at least noon Wednesday, July 20th, or longer. Visitors wishing to hike from Happy Isles will need to ascend the John Muir Trail, bypassing the Mist Trail, which leads to Vernal Fall.
No further information is available, the park will issue a news release when the trail reopens or more information becomes available.
According to various reports, about 10 people have lost their lives over the past decade on or near the water of Vernal Falls. In May 2007 a person died while hopping from rock to rock around the falls and a 24-year-old man was swept over Vernal Falls to his death on July 30, 2005 after losing his balance near the river and falling into the swift current of the river. The guard rail has multiple warning signs in multiple languages informing people not to go beyond the rail.
Earlier this year, a man lost his life while hiking the Mist Trail, which leads to Vernal Falls. Even though it was mid-May, the trail was wet and slippery due to melting snow.
The National Park Service states they see about 12 to 15 deaths throughout Yosemite each year.