Boy’s Body Found In Yosemite

 Yosemite, CA — The body of 6 year old Jacob Adams from Orange County, California who was swept down the Merced River in Yosemite National Park has been recovered.

Dive crews had been searching the river for the past week after Jacob and his 10 year old brother, Andy, were hiking near the Vernal Fall Footbridge Wednesday of last week and stopped to take a break in the river. Both were swept away by the strong current.

Park Ranger Kari Cobb says “That area of the Merced River is a rough portion of the river with big boulders the size of houses and other obstacles like parts of trees, unfortunately, he was trapped in some of that debris.” Cobb adds, “Luckily around noon our crews were able to make it down to him and recover his body.”

Cobb says fluctuating water levels in the river, changing weather conditions, and treacherous terrain contributed to a difficult and challenging search. She says the past couple days of dry weather lowered the river level allowing crews to see Jacob’s body under the debris about 50 yards from the footbridge. Cobb says his body will go to Mariposa for an autopsy.

Andy’s body was pulled from the river about 150 yards below the footbridge August 15th.

Click here for a map of the area.