YOSEMITE TRAGEDY THREE ALLEGEDLY DROWNED

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. Yosemite National Park officials said Thursday they have no plans to add new warning signs or other protections to the area where three young people were swept over a 317-foot waterfall this week.

Witnesses say the three hikers ignored warnings and climbed guard railing at the top of Vernal Fall on Tuesday to wade into the Merced River, several dozen feet from the water's drop.

One woman slipped, and two men fell in while trying to save her.

Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman says the site's railing and single sign are adequate and it's the visitor's responsibility to exercise judgment and caution when near any cliff.

Authorities and park officials throughout the region have issued strong warnings about water dangers this summer as high temperatures melt the near-record Sierra Nevada snowpack.

Meanwhile, friends described the three hikers as church role models who normally did not take risks.

Members of St. George's Church in Ceres gathered for a prayer vigil Wednesday evening, grieving over the tragedy that occurred on a church group outing a day earlier.

The church pastor, Genard Lazar, was a part of the group of about a dozen hikers who ascended the steep Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls to pose for photographs.

Tanya Badal, the sister of victim Ramina Badal, saw her sister go over the falls. She declined to talk about what happened atop Vernal's precipice, but said that despite the passage of time she was still praying the three would be found alive.

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[MrBobLuck]

the 317 feet OOOPs --- WOW- OUCH - watch that first step---

it could be a doooozle dandy

[SPLEND1DD]

you are ignorant, because u dont know what happened. those were assyrians from the orthodox church of the east. ONE girl went too close to take pics, as she slipped. when she slipped she held to her friend, he too fell in. another man came to help them and reached out his hand, but all 3 got pushed away. they did go too close, but to luagh at it? shame on u. calling them "stoopid" hey, stupid, is written STUPID, not stoopid. STUPID! ur grammer is more funny.

[bloodflow82]

For people who did not know them, this was unfortunately a moment of weakness that turned tragic. We have all done something that makes us say, "I shouldn't have done that. That could have ended badly." Not all of us are fortunate. So before you go ranting and raving about this maybe you should look back at your younger years and think about it. Drink a little and go for a drive?? Happens all the time, but not always publicized! Have some compassion for the families, they have enough going on.

[logikclay32]

Assytians invented everything...hahahaha You God fearing people are funny!! Apply Actual scince to the bible and your HOLY book is total BULLSHIT!!! Winged men that live on clouds... uh huh...we got planes...no men up there...next lie...they live above the clouds in heaven....shit!! we got space shuttle and Hubble...damn no men again! BULLSHIT!!

[hotjasmin1]

yep many ppl dont know what assyrians are. and those are the ignorant ones my dear. to say i dont know who the assyrians were, means u dont know history, u dont know where u came from. just live blind and corrupted to wherever they lead u right? lol only un educated stupids arent familiar with assyrians. oh well...

[SPLEND1DD]

Assyrians invented all that and MORE. go to assyrianvoice(dot)net. or easier google "what the assyrians invented" click the one with assyrianvoice(dot)net url. now everybody reading this will see how u get proven wrong! and many ppl dont know assyrians? dont u know at one time in history almost everybody beleived the world was flat? sooner or later everybody will know the truth. how can i be embarresed? im ASSYRIAN! we're the summerians!! ANUNAKIS!! WE MADE U!!! doubtless...

[Brilliantchildarts]

... Sad.

[Thuggin2222]

That water is no more than waist deep near the falls. Stupid people go into the water thinking they can stand up but the rocks are as slippery as ice and the rushing water knocks their feet right out from under them and over they go.

[SPLEND1DD]

judging all acording to one? well then we are the best and number one in the world since we came from sumerians, and they are known to be the first civilazation. Assyrians invented the wheel, irrigation, chemical battery, zodiac, bleaching, astronomy, medicine, mythology, poetry, axe, speer, armor AND ALOT MORE! if it wasnt for ASSYRIANS, u would still be riding donkeys today! so with that said, will u bow down to any Assyrian since we invented everything u have in ur house? doubtless..