The National Park Service is looking into a reported fall at Yosemite National Park after dispatchers received word Saturday that a person had gone over Nevada Fall, one of the park’s most hazardous waterfall areas.
Several people who said they witnessed the incident later posted online that the fall appeared to be serious and may have been fatal, though officials have not publicly confirmed that outcome.
Park officials said the incident involved a 23-year-old man at Nevada Fall, a steep and slick section of Yosemite known for powerful water flow and dangerous drop-offs.
“The National Park Service is investigating an incident involving a 23-year-old male at Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park on June 20, 2026,” NPS said in a statement to News Agency on Monday.
Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park, California, US, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Park dispatch received reports that an individual had gone over the fall, and National Park Service rangers and Yosemite Search and Rescue personnel responded,” the agency said.
Authorities said search and recovery efforts were carried out below the waterfall following the report.
The National Park Service said the incident remains under investigation.
The agency released the statement after multiple people reported on social media that they witnessed the incident, with one Reddit user claiming they were in the area when they heard people screaming.
“There were a bunch of friends that were dragged by the current in the top of Nevada’s fall today,” the user wrote. “The girl was saved but another person with her went with the current to the fall.”
The National Park Service (NPS) badge is seen on a staff member’s uniform during a media visit on Aug. 24, 2023. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
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The victim reportedly fell after attempting to save the woman near the waterfall.
“A person nearby handed the girl a branch and she was rescued but the other person couldn’t attach to anything and went with the current to the fall,” the user added. “That was horrifying to see… I was literally shaking for about 1hour… and it was so sad to see the girl rescued and her friends crying the whole time.”
According to the witness, a helicopter arrived roughly one hour after the incident appearing to search the area, followed by rescue hikers arriving with equipment.
“The helicopter came and was searching for a while but we didn’t see it doing an action.. later on we saw the rescuers hiking to the Nevada falls with some materials,” the user said.
A bird flies over Yosemite National Park in California during summer. (iStock)
Nevada Fall is known for its steep, slippery and dangerous conditions, featuring a powerful waterfall and fast-moving currents along a roughly 600-foot descent.
“You just don’t realize how slippery that granite can be and how strong the current is,” another Reddit user wrote. “And there’s nothing to hold on to on the way down towards the falls.”
Another individual added that a fall from the area would likely be fatal.
“That’s not something that anyone can survive, even if they had a life jacket and helmet on at the time,” the individual wrote.
“I don’t think I’ll ever hang out up there again in May, June, or July. There is just too many people and the water is way too dangerous. As a former lifeguard, it’s too stressful seeing all the goofballs messing around on slick rocks and massive water flows.”
