Vernal Falls Body Retrieved in Yosemite

Two bodies remain in the Merced River, likely wedged under rocks.

Three weeks after three people fell to their death over Vernal Falls in Yosemite, one of the bodies has been recovered.

Park search and rescue spent four and a half hours recovering the body of Hormiz David. Searchers lowered themselves down from horizontal ropes crossing the rushing river to recover the body.

"They were actually able to just spot the body because the water was low enough," Yosemite spokeswoman Kari Cobb told AP. "Hopefully as the water continues to goes down, we can find signs as to the others' location."

The 22 year old from Modesto was 240 feet from the base of Vernal Fall by rangers Friday afternoon.

David has been missing since July 19 when he, Ninos Yacoub, and Ramina Badal were swept over the 317 foot waterfall.

All three had climbed past danger signs prior to slipping into the water.

Yosemite National Park Rangers and SAR personnel said they will continue to search for the remaining two victims, but say it's possible they won't surface until the fall.

Members of the families have been going to the park nearly every day in hopes of getting news about their loved ones who were part of a community of Assyrian Christians.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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