By Jill Ballinger
The Mariposa Gazette
A 10-year-old boy was pronounced dead and a 6-year-old boy remains missing following an incident near Yosemite's Vernal Fall footbridge Wednesday afternoon.
A family group, from southern California, was in the Merced River near the bridge around 3 p.m. They had begun their hike at the Happy Isles trailhead and hiked approximately one mile, where they stopped at the footbridge.
The group was in the river, and the two boys were swept away by the current. Approximately 150 yards downriver, the 10-year-old boy was pulled from the river and CPR was initiated by a park visitor. Yosemite National Park Rangers continued resuscitation efforts, which were unsuccessful, and the boy was pronounced dead.
The Park simultaneously initiated an intensive search for the 6-year-old boy in the Merced River between the Vernal Fall Footbridge and Happy Isles. Search efforts for the boy are continuing at this time.
The Mist Trail remains open during search and rescue operations. Portions of the trail may close throughout the day to accommodations search and rescue operations.
-- Read More at The Mariposa Gazette
