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Rangers at Yosemite National Park have recovered the body of Hormiz David, a 22-year-old from Modesto, who died after being swept over a 317 foot waterfall with two other hikers on July 19, according to a National Park Service news release.
David was found in the Merced River, approximately 240 feet from the base of Vernal Fall by Yosemite Rangers and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel at approximately 1:00 p.m. yesterday, August 5, 2011. Recovery operations took approximately four and one half hours to complete and required technical rigging and swift water trained personnel.
David, with two other California residents, 27-year-old Ninos Yacoub and 21-year-old Ramina Badal were seen by witnesses crossing a metal guardrail near the fast moving water at Vernal Falls which remains "higher and colder than usual for this time of the year."
Rangers and SAR personnel continue to search for Yacoub and Badal. The Mist Trail, leading to the top of Vernal Falls will intermittently closed during the recovery effort.
The search area included in the recovery effort is one of the most rugged areas of the Merced River. Yosemite Park Rangers and SAR personnel continue to exercise caution while searching along the slippery rocks and while near the high, fast moving water of the Merced River.
