Re: Boy Drowns In Merced River, Search Underway For Second Boy

Minor Near Vernal Fall Footbridge - news release
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

A ten year old boy was pronounced dead and a six year old boy remains missing following an incident near the Vernal Fall Footbridge in Yosemite National Park yesterday.

A family group, from southern California, were in the Merced River near the Vernal Fall Footbridge yesterday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. They had begun their hike at the Happy Isles Trailhead and hiked approximately one mile, where they stopped at the footbridge. The group was in the river and the two boys were swept away by the current. Approximately 150 yards downriver, the ten year old boy was pulled from the river and CPR was initiated by a park visitor. Yosemite National Park Rangers continued resuscitation efforts, which were unsuccessful, and the boy was pronounced dead.

The park simultaneously initiated an intensive search for the six year old boy in the Merced River between the Vernal Fall Footbridge and Happy Isles. Search efforts for the boy are continuing at this time.

The Mist Trail remains open during search and rescue operations. Portions of the trail may close throughout the day to accommodations search and rescue operations. The names of the victims will not be released.

Even with the much lower flow rate of the Merced this summer, it still can be a very dangerous river especially by the bridge below Vernal Fall. A very sad story.
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Very sad indeed.

About a month ago, while poking around the Starr King area, I got a small taste crossing the Illilouette. Stronger than expected - it wasn't easy find a good spot to cross. The section we crossed, the water was slightly above the ankle. But I could still feel the power of the water/current. Combined with the slick granite surface, it was tough to maintain balance.

The water, the Merced, forces of nature: deserve our highest respect.

Sucks to hear such a sad story. My condolences go out to the family of the two boys. Out of all the beautiful places to wade into the water to choose to enter the river near the footbridge and have it turn tragic.

STAY OUT OF THE WATER!

Search Efforts Continue for Missing Boy in Yosemite National Park
Date: August 17, 2012

Six Year Old Jacob Adams Last Seen at Vernal Fall Footbridge

Yosemite National Park Rangers continue to search for Jacob Adams, a 6 year old boy from Orange County, California. Jacob, visiting the park with an extended family group, hiked to the Vernal Fall Footbridge on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Jacob, and his ten year old brother, were swept into the Merced River near the footbridge at 3:00 p.m. The ten year old was pulled from the river by a park visitor approximately 150 yards below the footbridge. The visitor, along with National Park Rangers, performed CPR and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. An intensive search began immediately for Jacob, and he has not been located.

Yosemite National Park Rangers are continuing the search efforts for Jacob. The search area is in and around the Merced River from the Vernal Fall Footbridge to Happy Isles. This mile long stretch of river is characterized by large boulders, chutes, small waterfalls. Although the river level is low, the current in sections of the river is deceptively swift.

The search operation is ongoing and will continue throughout the weekend. The park will issue a news release when there are new developments in the search.

How do you even get into the water there???

Yosemite National Park (CA)
Boy Drowns In Merced River, Search Underway For Second Boy

A ten-year-old boy was pronounced dead and a six-year-old boy remains missing following an incident near the Vernal Fall Footbridge on Thursday. Members of a family group from southern California were in the Merced River near the Vernal Fall Footbridge yesterday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. They had begun their hike at the Happy Isles Trailhead and had hiked approximately one mile when they stopped at the footbridge. They were in the river when the two boys were swept away by the current. The ten-year-old was pulled from the Merced about 150 yards downriver; CPR was begun by a park visitor and continued by rangers. Their efforts proved unsuccessful, though, and the boy was pronounced dead. A search was begun for the six-year-old and continue at this time. The Mist Trail remains open during search and rescue operations. Portions of the trail may close throughout the day to accommodate search and rescue operations.

The mother suffered some physical injuries attempting to rescue her sons. Broken foot and some broken vertebrae. Nothing that comes close to the emotional injuries. Don't wish this on anybody. I'm sure she would trade her life for her kids'.

Yosemite National Park (CA)
Search For Missing Boy Continues

Rangers continue to search for a six-year-old boy who disappeared in the Merced River last week. The boy was with an extended family that had hiked to the Vernal Fall footbridge last Wednesday. He and his ten-year-old brother were swept into the river near the footbridge at 3 p.m. A visitor pulled the older boy from the river about 150 yards below the bridge; although the visitor and rangers attempted to resuscitate him, their efforts proved unavailing. At the same time, an intensive search was begun for the younger boy. The search area is in and around the Merced River from the Vernal Fall footbridge to Happy Isles. This mile-long stretch of river is characterized by large boulders, chutes, and small waterfalls. Although the river level is low, the current in sections of the river is deceptively swift.

Body of Missing Six Year Old Boy Recovered in Yosemite National Park
Jacob Adams Missing Since Wednesday, August 15 - news release
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

The body of Jacob Adams, a six year old boy who was swept into the Merced River on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, has been recovered today. Jacob was wading in the Merced River with his ten year old brother, Andres “Andy” Adams, near the Vernal Fall Footbridge when they were swept downstream. Andy was pulled from the river by a park visitor shortly after the incident and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Extensive search efforts for Jacob have been ongoing since last Wednesday. Yosemite Park Rangers located his body approximately 50 yards downstream from the Vernal Fall Footbridge. Fluctuating water levels in the Merced River, changing weather conditions, and treacherous terrain contributed to a difficult and challenging search. However, with receding water levels in the Merced River and dry weather over the last few days, Yosemite Park Rangers have been able to access areas within the river corridor that were previously difficult to search.