Two people died Tuesday after they fell off a rockfall in Yosemite National Park in Northern California, according to a report.
Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kristie Mitchell told CNN that the incident occurred at some point on Tuesday and the sheriff’s office now has two coroner cases as a result of the incident. No other details were provided.
Yosemite National Park put out a tweet Tuesday that El Portal Road was closed for more than four hours due to “a significant rockfall” but did not mention any injuries or deaths. (RELATED: Man Plummers To Death While Hiking In Crawford Notch State Park With Wife)
El Portal Road (continuation of Highway 140 into Yosemite Valley from El Portal) is closed due to a significant rockfall. Access to Yosemite Valley is still possible via Hwy 41/Wawona Road and Hwy 120/Big Oak Flat Road. Tire chains may be required. 209/372-0200 for road info. pic.twitter.com/BH2dUndZDS
— Yosemite National Park (@YosemiteNPS) December 27, 2022
Rockfalls involve “the detachment and rapid downward movement of rock,” according to the National Park Service. “Due to its steep, glacier-carved cliffs, Yosemite Valley experiences many rockfalls each year.”
The National Park Service said more than 1,000 rockfalls have occurred at the park over the last 150 years.
“Natural processes like rockfall help to create the beautiful and changing scenery in Yosemite National Park, but they also present potential hazards,” the National Park Service added.