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1 of 3 bodies recovered from Vernal Falls

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif., Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Park Service said Saturday the body of one of three hikers swept over Yosemite's Vernal Falls on July 19 has been recovered.

Yosemite Rangers and search-and-rescue personnel found the body of Hormiz David, 22, of Modesto, Calif., Friday afternoon about 240 feet from the base of the falls, KCRA.com reported.

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David and two friends, Ninos Yacoub, 27, and Ramina Badal, 21, climbed over a barrier at the top of the falls July 19. They waded into the raging waters to take some photographs and were swept over the 318-foot Vernal Falls, the largest waterfall on the Merced River in California.

The recovery operation lasted more than 4 hours and required personnel trained in swift water and technical rigging.

Water flows in Yosemite and throughout the Sierra are unusually high this summer due to record winter snowfalls.

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