Jacob Adams Missing Since Wednesday, August 15
Yosemite – The body of Jacob Adams, a six year old boy who was swept into the Merced River on Wednesday, Aug. 15, was recovered today. Yosemite Park Rangers located his body approximately 50 yards downstream from the Vernal Fall Footbridge.
Jacob was wading in the Merced River with his ten year old brother, Andres “Andy” Adams, near the Vernal Fall Footbridge when they were swept downstream. Andy was pulled from the river by a park visitor shortly after the incident, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
Jacob’s mother, Char-Lee Hargis Adams of Yorba Linda, was injured trying to save them.
Extensive search efforts for Jacob have been ongoing since last Wednesday. Fluctuating water levels in the Merced River, changing weather conditions, and treacherous terrain contributed to a difficult and challenging search.
However, with receding water levels in the Merced River and dry weather over the last few days, Yosemite Park Rangers have been able to access areas within the river corridor that were previously difficult to search.
According to published reports, Jacob’s brother Andres was to be laid to rest at 10 a.m. this morning (Aug. 23) in Fallbrook, California.
My heart goes out to this family who have lost two dear little boys, but the incident once again points out the fact that Yosemite is NOT an amusement park and that there are dangers to beware of. Hopefully other parents will heed the lesson in this tragedy and have great respect for the beautiful forces of nature that exist in the park.