Latest news with #SequoiaNationalPark
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Man rescued by helicopter after 2 days trapped behind California waterfall
California police used a helicopter to rescue a man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines, law enforcement officials said. Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. He never returned to his car that night, prompting a search that led law enforcement to use infrared technology and aircraft to try to find Wardwell. The rough terrain and late hour forced officials to suspend the search until the next day. It was early Tuesday when a dive and rescue team used a drone to pinpoint Wardwell, who was alive and responsive behind a large waterfall, police said. He came off his rappelling lines when "the extreme hydraulics of the river" trapped him behind the cascade, police said. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office posted video of Wardwell's rescue on Facebook. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with Wardwell and the sheriff's office. The California Highway Patrol used a helicopter to hoist Wardwell to safety. He was treated for minor injuries and dehydration and reunited with family.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Washington Post
California man rescued after being trapped for 2 days behind waterfall
California police used a helicopter to rescue a man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines, law enforcement official said. Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
California man rescued after being trapped for 2 days behind waterfall
California police used a helicopter to rescue a man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines, law enforcement official said. Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, had planned to rappel down waterfalls known as the Seven Teacups on Sunday in a remote area about two hours south of Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said. He never returned to his car that night, prompting a search that led law enforcement to use infrared technology and aircraft to try to find Wardwell. The rough terrain and late hour forced officials to return the next day to continue seeking Wardwell, police said. It was early Tuesday when a dive and rescue team used a drone to pinpoint Wardwell, who was alive and responsive behind a large waterfall, police said He came off his rappelling lines when 'the extreme hydraulics of the river' trapped him behind the cascade, police said. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with Wardwell and the sheriff's office. The California Highway Patrol used a helicopter to hoist Wardwell to safety. He was treated for minor injuries and dehydration and reunited with family. Video released by the sheriff's office shows the police chopper — its blades stirring up spray from the cascading creek — dropping a rescuer attached to a line down to the falls, with both being hoisted back up. The Seven Teacups is a popular outdoor recreational area, made up by the cascades of the Dry Meadow Creek forming distinctive pools along their route to the North Fork of the Kern River. Guide sites warn people about the difficulty of the terrain and say not to try it without proper gear and extensive experience.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Daily Mail
High-school basketball coach Drew Hall, 36, found dead after going missing on hike in California
A high-school basketball coach who went missing on a hike in California over the weekend has been found dead. Drew Hall, 36, had joined his in-laws at Sequoia National Park on Saturday, only to be reported missing later in the day after being separated from his hiking group. One day later, Hall was pronounced dead after his body was found below the Sawtooth Peak mountain, according to a release by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters. Authorities said the basketball coach, who was described as 'fit and active', separated from his group earlier in the day while 'hiking in very rugged terrain' and planned to later rejoin them. Yet he was reported missing later that night after he didn't return as scheduled. 'Park rangers and supporting agencies began searching for Hall Sunday morning,' authorities added. 'Tragically, his body was found at around 3pm by friends and family who were searching the area on foot. Recovery efforts were completed this afternoon.' Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks added that Hall was the fifth fatality to occur within the parks this year. According to ABC30, his brother Brent and a dozen friends went to look for him when he was reported missing. 'Having these people around me was important to me. We found out, obviously, there's nothing else we could do. We looked down at the mountain, and there were five more people coming to help,' Brent said. Hall was a longtime boys basketball coach at Golden West High School in Visalia, where he spent over a decade. He told the Visalia Times Delta last year: 'I love Golden West. I love the school. I love the admin. I love just the whole culture, all the other coaches. It's a great place to be. 'It's just been a blessing, a privilege. I don't take it for granted. Not many people make it to 10 years anymore for various reasons. It's definitely a blessing.' This year Hall was preparing to take on a new role as an instructional coach for elementary PE teachers in Visalia Unified. Yet Brent says his brother's greatest job was that of a father. 'Anyone who knows Drew, his greatest passion, whether it was teaching or coaching, was being a dad. So, it was very evident, but that was his passion and that's what he loved to be,' he added. In a statement given to that publication, Visalia Unified School District Superintendent Kirk Shrum said: 'We are deeply saddened by Drew's passing and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. The district has communicated supports and resources to those staff and students impacted by his loss and will continue to make grief support services available during the weeks and months ahead.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
‘Heartbreaking': Diver unable to find missing woman after 2-day search in Sequoia National Park
Volunteer diver Juan Heredia of Angels Recovery Dive Team posted a wrenching message on Facebook Monday morning after traveling to the treacherous waters of Sequoia National Park on Saturday, July 12, in a renewed search for Jomarie Calasanz. 'After two long, hot days searching for Jomarie, we covered 5-7 miles—diving in pools, under boulders, searching the shores—and we couldn't find her,' he posted. 'It's heartbreaking to come out of the water after 8 hours each day and tell the family I couldn't bring her home.' Calasanz, 26, of Los Angeles, was swept away while trying to save her sister May 25. She vanished after jumping into the swift currents of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River near Paradise Creek Bridge. Her family says she was trying to rescue her older sister, Joanne, who had been caught in the waters during a Memorial Day weekend outing. 'It's been 49 days since she went missing. The river was about four feet higher back then… I knew the odds were against me, but I had to try,' Heredia said, vowing not to give up. 'While taking the first dip of the day, Joanne started to get swept away,' reads a tribute on the family's GoFundMe page. 'With a brave, loving heart and amazing courage, Jomarie, being a swimmer, instantly swam to save her sister.' Both women were pulled under, but only Joanne made it out. A nine-day, multi-agency search followed, but dangerous river conditions forced officials to scale back efforts. 'Jomarie could still be located within the park,' officials said at the time, 'but divers are unable to complete an underwater search of the river.' Heredia — a volunteer diver known for recovering drowning victims across the U.S. — took up the mission in an effort to find her. 'I must find Jomarie and bring her home,' Heredia posted on Facebook before beginning the search. 'Her parents have been living in agony for too many weeks.' Heredia, who began diving at 18 in his native Argentina, has recovered the remains of several missing people this year alone, according to reporting by the Stockton Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. In June, he located three men trapped beneath a waterfall in Placer County. In March, he helped find a missing Oregon toddler. And in January, he recovered the body of 17-year-old Wesley Cornett after a 21-day search that spanned Christmas and New Year's. His first recovery mission began in 2023, when he helped locate 15-year-old Xavier Martinez, who disappeared in Stockton's Calaveras River. Since then, Heredia has turned his recreational passion into a calling — one that's earned him recognition from the Stockton City Council and the gratitude of grieving families across the country. As a father, Heredia says he understands the pain of not knowing. In his living room, he keeps photos of every person he's recovered — smiling portraits that help him replace the haunting images from the water. 'My way of erasing that image when I found them in the state I found them is to have that photo in my living room,' the Stockton mortgage lender said. 'I always have them smiling in my living room, and I look at them every day.' Never swim alone: Always swim with a buddy, and be aware of your surroundings. Wear a life jacket: Even strong swimmers should wear a properly fitted and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Know your limits: Be realistic about your swimming abilities and the conditions. Check the weather and water conditions: Be aware of currents, tides, and other hazards. Swim in designated areas: If possible, swim in areas with lifeguards or designated swimming zones. Avoid alcohol and drugs: Intoxication impairs judgment and can make it difficult to swim safely. Enter the water slowly: Avoid jumping or diving into unfamiliar water. This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: California diver vows to keep searching for missing woman Jomarie Calasanz
