Latest news with #JomarieCalasanz
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
L.A. woman trying to save sister is swept away by roaring river. Treacherous waters imperil rescue
Search efforts for a missing Los Angeles woman who jumped into a river to rescue her sister in Sequoia National Park have been scaled down as river conditions become increasingly unsafe, park officials say. On May 25, during a trip with family and friends, 26-year-old Jomarie Calasanz was swept up by fast river currents in the Kaweah River of the Sequoia National Park foothills, according to a Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks news release. A trained swimmer, Calasanz entered the river to rescue her sister, Joanne, who was attempting to swim in 'deceivingly calm waters,' as outlined in a GoFundMe page created by the family. 'What was supposed to be a fun, bonding moment very quickly turned into a traumatic event that will stick with us forever,' the family added. 'While the river released Joanne, it is our deepest regret to inform everyone that Jomarie has not yet been found.' A multi-agency search that included search-and-rescue teams, canines, underwater cameras and aerial searches lasted for nine days in the river and surrounding areas. However, snowpack melt from higher elevations and elevated river flow rendered the search area too hazardous for rescue staff to conduct thorough searches, according to the release. Read more: The 5 most dangerous places to be rescued in California's wilderness 'When river conditions improve, possibly in the coming weeks, the team will reevaluate next steps,' the release said. The search will continue in a limited manner with fewer resources until river conditions stabilize. Park officials urged visitors to stay out of rivers during elevated-flow conditions and warned of slippery rocks near riverbanks. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
L.A. woman trying to save sister is swept away by roaring river. Treacherous waters imperil rescue
Search efforts for a missing Los Angeles woman who jumped into a river to rescue her sister in Sequoia National Park have been scaled down as river conditions become increasingly unsafe, park officials say. On May 25, during a trip with family and friends, 26-year-old Jomarie Calasanz was swept up by fast river currents in the Kaweah River of the Sequoia National Park foothills, according to a Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks news release. A trained swimmer, Calasanz entered the river to rescue her sister, Joanne, who was attempting to swim in 'deceivingly calm waters,' as outlined in a GoFundMe page created by the family. 'What was supposed to be a fun, bonding moment very quickly turned into a traumatic event that will stick with us forever,' the family added. 'While the river released Joanne, it is our deepest regret to inform everyone that Jomarie has not yet been found.' A multi-agency search that included search-and-rescue teams, canines, underwater cameras and aerial searches lasted for nine days in the river and surrounding areas. However, snowpack melt from higher elevations and elevated river flow rendered the search area too hazardous for rescue staff to conduct thorough searches, according to the release. 'When river conditions improve, possibly in the coming weeks, the team will reevaluate next steps,' the release said. The search will continue in a limited manner with fewer resources until river conditions stabilize. Park officials urged visitors to stay out of rivers during elevated-flow conditions and warned of slippery rocks near riverbanks.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Search for L.A. woman swept away by raging river scaled back due to dangerous conditions
A search for a 26-year-old Los Angeles woman swept away by fast-moving water in Sequoia National Park over Memorial Day weekend has been scaled back as river conditions remain too hazardous for rescue teams to enter. Jomarie Calasanz was last seen near the Paradise Creek Bridge along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River in the park's foothills. Officials said she was with friends and family when she was caught in the cold, powerful current. After nine days of intensive searching by multiple agencies, National Park Service officials said crews have transitioned to 'limited continuous mode,' assigning fewer resources while continuing to monitor the river. Officials believe Calasanz could still be within park boundaries but said current conditions make it unsafe for divers to conduct an underwater search. Search efforts have included ground crews, canines, underwater cameras, helicopters and drones. 'We are thankful for the dedicated aid of our neighboring agencies and for all of the people who have been involved in the search for Jomarie,' NPS officials said. Park officials continue to urge visitors to stay out of the river and away from its banks, warning that runoff from melting snowpack has made the water both frigid and deceptively fast-moving. Even calm-looking sections can overpower experienced swimmers, and wet rocks near the river's edge are extremely slick. Public notices remain posted in the area, and teams plan to reassess their options once the water level drops, likely in the coming weeks. Anyone with information or possible sightings is asked to contact Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Dispatch at 888-677-2746. The Calasanz family has announced the death of their loved one, and is asking for donations through GoFundMe to help pay for the cost of recovery efforts and memorial expenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman Goes Missing After Being Swept Away by ‘Cold, Swift and Dangerous' River While Trying to Save Sister
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. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. '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.' Read the original article on People
