The California teacher found dead in Sequoia National Park after being missing one day before
A teacher in California was found dead in Sequoia National Park one day after being missing, according to National Park Service.
Drew Hall, a 36-year-old boys’ basketball coach at the Golden West High School in Visalia, was missing by friends and family in the last hours of Saturday after having separated his group earlier in the day with the intention of meeting at some point later, according to a National Park Service press release. Hall would have gone through a particularly damaged land during the hike, but was also described by the Park Rangers as “in shape and active”.
The next morning, the park guards and the support agencies were sent to search for Hall, which had still not been heard. He was found died by friends and family below Sawtooth Peak – a notoriously difficult path of 11.5 miles – at 3 p.m. Sunday, according to the press release.
“Our hearts go to the family and friends of the hiker. We encourage everyone to take additional precautions and remain vigilant while enjoying the beauty of these national parks. Security must always pass first,” said chief Ranger David Fox in the press release.
It is the fifth death and the 60th research and rescue operation that the emergency staff of Sequoia and Kings replied this year, according to the press release. Five of this research and rescues took place last weekend, added the press release.
It was not immediately indicated by the authorities, which caused Hall’s death.
The National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comments concerning the frequency of these incidents in the park. However, the law firm Panish, Shea & Ravipudi Found in a published analysis Last year, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park reported 30 deaths by 10 million visitors to the park between 2007 and 2024. The analysis classified Sequoia and Kings Canyon as the 13th most dangerous national park based on deaths for 10 million visitors to the park, with the North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington, the most dangerous with 601 deaths per 10 million visitors.
“It was a difficult year for our research and rescue teams,” said Fox.
