Body of missing 6-year-old recovered in Yosemite

The body of Jacob Adams, a 6-year-old boy who was swept into the Merced River on Aug. 15, has been recovered today. Jacob was wading in the Merced River with his 10-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. (Read the previous story here)

Extensive search efforts for Jacob have been ongoing since last Wednesday. Yosemite Park Rangers located his body approximately 50 yards downstream from the Vernal Fall Footbridge. 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. –NPS