Woman Goes Missing After Being Swept Away by ‘Cold, Swift and Dangerous' River While Trying to Save Sister

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2 days ago

Officials are searching for a woman who was swept away by a 'cold, swift, and dangerous' river in Sequoia National Park
A GoFundMe identified the victim as Jomarie Calasanz and said she jumped into the water to rescue her sister.
'Visitors are cautioned to avoid recreating near the river this time of year, as tempting as it may be with warming temperatures,' a NPS spokesperson said in a statement about the searchOfficials are searching for a woman who was swept away by a 'cold, swift and dangerous' river in Sequoia National Park.
A 26-year-old woman was recreating with friends and family in Sequoia National Park near a river in the foothills on Sunday, May 25, when the incident occurred, the National Park Service said in a statement.
According to a GoFundMe, the woman, identified as Jomarie Calasanz, jumped into the water that day to rescue her sister.
'What was supposed to be a fun, bonding moment very quickly turned into a traumatic event that will stick with us forever," the organizer wrote in a message. "While taking the first dip of the day in deceivingly calm waters, Joanne, Jomarie's older sister, started to get swept away."
'With a brave loving heart and amazing courage, Jomarie, being a swimmer, instantly swam to save her sister. Both quickly got swept away into the rapids. While the river released Joanne, it is our deepest regret to inform everyone that Jomarie has not yet been found,' the organizer continued.
Calasanz graduated from San Francisco State University, earning a political science degree in 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her alma mater released a statement, calling her a "bright, compassionate, and driven student,' Fox affiliate KTTV reported.
The National Park Service urged people to be 'extremely careful' near waterways, adding that even strong swimmers have been swept away.
'Visitors are cautioned to avoid recreating near the river this time of year, as tempting as it may be with warming temperatures,' a NPS spokesperson said. 'Most people that drown in the parks never intended to swim or get in the water.'
A National Park service website says the most dangerous times for the park's rivers are during spring and early summer, when melting snow runoff from the mountains makes the waters swift and chilly.
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'All rivers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon are potentially dangerous and require great care,' the website reads. 'While recreating in the parks' lakes and rivers can be tempting, drowning is the primary cause of death here.'
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