Second Vernal Fall victim found

Yosemite National Park has positively identified the body of  Ninos Yacoub, 27 year old male, of  Turlock, Calif. Yacoub was found in the Merced River, approximately 100 yards below the Vernal Fall footbridge, by a Yosemite National Park Ranger at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The footbridge is located approximately a half mile below the base of Vernal Fall.

Yacoub had been missing since July 19, 2011, when he, Hormiz David, 22 year old male, of Modesto, Calif., and Ramina Badal, 21 year old female, of Manteca, Calif., were witnessed being swept over the 317 foot waterfall. The body of David was found on Aug. 5, 2011, by Yosemite National Park Rangers and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel approximately 240 feet below the waterfall.

Yosemite National Park Rangers recovered another body in the same general area as Yacoub’s this past Saturday, Dec. 3. Positive identification has not been made, and is expected within the next several days. The park will issue a news release when the body is positively identified. –NPS