Bodies Recovered From Deadly Yosemite Fall
Yosemite, CA – With the recovery operation completed after two visitors fell from a popular lookout in Yosemite National Park yesterday, investigators are looking for answers.
The victims were at Taft Point, which is located about 7,500 ft. above sea level and 3,000 ft. above the valley floor, when the deadly fall occurred, as earlier reported here. The recovery operation was completed Thursday with the help of a CHP helicopter for a “short-haul operation.” Park spokesperson Jamie Richard details the pair fell approximately 800 feet below Taft Point. She adds, “It’s not a straight drop to the valley floor. You have different cliff ledges as you go down the slope. Where the two landed was in an area with very steep and rugged terrain. Park rangers had to use very technical skills and equipment to climb and rappel where the bodies were located.”
Park Ranger Scott Gediman shares that a visitor reported two people, a man and a woman, had plunged to their deaths, but it is still unclear when they fell and from what spot. He added that railings only exist at some parts of the overlook.
“The identities have not yet been determined,” reports Richards. “We have not been able to do a positive ID yet. We’re continuing to work through that process and then next of kin notifications will be made.”
Richards also relayed that there are no photos or videos available and no further details are expected to be available for several days.
