Three Missing Hikers in Yosemite National Park Identified
July 21st, 2011 | by |
The three hikers who went missing after going over Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park on Tuesday afternoon have now been identified.
Rangers have identified them as 27-year-old Ninos Yacoub of Turlock, 22-year-old Hormiz David of Modesto, and 21-year-old Ramina Badal of Manteca.
The three were visiting Yosemite National Park for a day trip on Tuesday with a group of family and friends, rangers said.
Witnesses say the hikers climbed over the metal guard rail at the top of the falls that’s in place to keep people away from the water. One person fell into the water, a second person tried to help and fell in and a third person followed, witnesses said. Witnesses saw two men and a woman go over the falls.
“Basically there’s nothing there between you then and basically the falls itself. And how wet it is, that railing must have been extremely wet,” said Sanjay Dave, who visited Yosemite National Park with his family on Wednesday.
“It’s slippery and it’s really crowded. You just see a lot of people making a lot of poor, poor decisions really when it comes to their own safety. You go in that river and you’re dead,” said Tim Maurice of Columbus, Ohio, who described the conditions he experienced on Wednesday during a trip through Yosemite.
About 30 people spent the day Wednesday searching the river and nearby trails for any sign of the missing hikers who are now presumed dead, rangers said.
The Mist Trail, which was closed to hikers, is now back open.
Rivers and streams are running at higher than normal levels this year, so rangers are urging park visitors to remain cautious.
“From what I’ve heard, this is the most waterflow they’ve had in 50 years. And if you’ve ever done any river-rafting or been in moving water in the ocean, you learn real fast to appreciate the power of the ocean or moving water,” said Glen Mackie of San Diego, who visited Yosemite National Park on Wednesday.
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