Two Children Swept Away Near Vernal Falls

Yosemite National Park officials say one boy is dead and another is missing after they were swept away in the Merced River.

One boy has died and another is missing after the two children were swept away in the Merced River Wednesday.

Yosemite National Park officials said Thursday the two were with their family visiting from Southern California. They got into the water after hiking to the Vernal Fall Footbridge.

The edge of the water there is calm, but the water rushes by just a few feet away. The boys must  have somehow made it to the rapids.

All the family had to do to get to that portion of the water is walk around one gate. There are no keep away signs in that area of the foot bridge.

Park visitors were able to pull the 10-year-old from the river about 150 yards downstream, but efforts to resuscitate him failed. He was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Authorities are still searching for a 6-year-old boy who is missing. Thurssday afternoon, rangers said it was still an active search.

Park officials say the Mist Trail remains open during search and rescue operations but portions may close depending upon developments.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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