EMERY COUNTY, Utah — The Emery County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team discovered the body of a missing Montana man Thursday morning.
Jonathan Baker, 53, had not been heard from since April 7 when he contacted his son. He told his son he was at Moonshine Wash south of Green River. On April 10, he was reported missing when he failed to pick up his son in Salt Lake City and return home to Bozeman, Montana.
The body of Jonathan Baker, 53, was found Thursday morning in Emery County. Photo credit: Emery County Sheriff's Office.
According to a press release from the Emery County Sheriff's Office, a Salt Lake City man notified authorities Thursday morning. After watching a news report about Baker on Thursday, the man told authorities he saw the victim's truck near Colonnade Arch on April 8 during a trip to Emery County.
The man also reported to authorities that he and a friend saw a man with a pack who appeared to be sleeping on the slick rock.
With that information, emergency personnel checked Colonnade Arch immediately Thursday morning. Authorities say the truck was discovered in a small parking lot. The body of the missing Montana man was discovered roughly a half-mile from the truck.
The Emery County Sheriff's Office says foul play is not suspected.
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Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
Search and rescue teams acted quickly Monday evening to rescue a family lost on Panther Creek Trail. The call came in to Habersham County E-911 about an hour and a half before sunset. The woman caller told dispatchers she hiked to the falls and couldn't find her way out.
Units from Habersham County Emergency Services, Lee Arrendale and Tallulah Falls Fire Departments, along with Habersham's Search and Rescue Team (HabSAR) responded to the scene within minutes.
"While responding, Habersham County E-911 advised units that the caller and five children were lost in the area of the falls," says HCES Capt. Matt Ruark. "After being advised, crews determined that they would have quicker access from a different access point and responded to that location."
The children ranged in age from 4 to 16 years, Ruark says.
At 7:05 p.m., rescuers entered the trail on ATVs and, fifteen minutes later, found the missing family approximately 3.5 miles in to the trail.
"None of the subjects were having any medical issues and were assisted out of the trail and returned to their vehicles," Ruark says.
Panther Creek near Turnerville is one of Habersham's most popular hiking trails, but it currently officially remains closed to the public. The U.S. Forest Service shut down the trail for repairs in October 2020 after high water events from tropical storms washed out sections of the path and bridges.
"In addition, high winds and saturated soils led to a higher number of downed trees impacting hiker safety," the USFS says on its website.
Ruark says current trail conditions "make it difficult for hikers as well as rescuers when searching for lost or injured subjects."
The picnic area in the Panther Creek Recreation Area near the trailhead is open. The Forest Service has not announced when it plans to reopen the trail.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
A 3-year-old was killed Sunday, April 10, after being swept over the top of Whitewater Falls in North Carolina, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
The child was identified as Nevaeh Jade Newswanger of Denver, Pennsylvania, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
Jackson County Emergency Management received a 911 call around 5:50 p.m. from someone reporting a little girl "had been swept away in the water at the top of the falls" and carried over the edge by the current.
Rescuers from five counties responded to the site, which is located in a remote area just north of the South Carolina state line. The waterfall plunges "an amazing 411 feet" and the surrounding area is "difficult (to) access and rugged terrain," the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.
"Just prior to night fall on Sunday rescuers located the child deceased and entrapped in an area of the waterfall," the sheriff's office said.
"Recovery operations throughout the night and early morning led to the child being recovered from the waterfall around 1 am on Monday, April 11."
The girl was hiking near the waterfall with her parents, who are living temporarily in Oconee County, South Carolina, while working on a construction project.
A campaign set up for funeral expenses reports Nevaeh "slipped and fell in the water" while playing in sand above the falls.
"We desperately tried to rescue her but the current was so strong and it swept her down the river and over the falls where the angels caught her," the GoFundMe campaign reports. "Her name is heaven spelled backwards. She was truly a piece of heaven to all who knew her."
Jackson County Sheriff's Office officials noted the deadly accident underscores "the dangers associated with visits to scenic areas such as Whitewater Falls."
"First and foremost our prayers are with the Newswanger Family as they grieve the loss of this precious young child," the sheriff's office said.
"With the onset of spring weather we need to be reminded of the dangers associated with many scenic areas of the region such as waterfalls. While beautiful to view from a safe distance, venturing out closer to the falls for any reason brings tremendous danger. Always remain at a distance, follow safety precautions and warnings which are in place, and view waterfalls from designated viewing areas."
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 10:59 AM.
Mark Price has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1991, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
A surgeon and hiker was found dead on a local trail in the state at least one week after she'd last contacted her family - with her body turning up near a waterfall with a steep 90-foot dropoff.
Kelsey Musgrove, 26, had told family that she had reached Potato River Falls in the town of Gurney on March 26, according to sheriffs in Iron County.
Four days later on March 30, police in her native Middletown asked the county to search for the cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the University of Wisconsin.
Authorities found Musgrove's car in the parking lot at Potato River Falls and found her body near a 90-foot waterfall on April 3, they said in a press release.
The sheriff's office said it does not suspect foul play in relation to her death - but did not yet give a reason.
'All indications at the scene and information from family and friends lead us to believe she had gone hiking along Potato River and had not returned to her vehicle,' they wrote.
'We would like to express our sincere condolences to Kelsey's family,' police added.
UW Health, where Musgrove did her fellowship, put out a statement of their own lamenting her death.
'We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Dr. Kelsey Musgrove,' spokesperson Emily Kumlien said. 'She was recognized by her peers as a great surgeon, an outstanding mentor and an incredibly kind and positive spirit. Our thoughts and condolences are with her friends and family during this difficult time.'
Sara Margaret Grossi, a frequent travel companion and close friend of Musgrove, also posted about her grief to her Facebook page.
'I could always cheer her up no matter how big the problem with pistachio ice cream. I can't fix this with a few scoops this time but I can keep loving her even though she's not here to lay under the stars with me anymore and guess constellations. We'll meet again one day in those stars and awkwardly wink at one another and laugh.'
A fellow doctor at UW Health remembered her in another Facebook post.
'Kelsey Musgrove was one of the kindest and most positive residents I've had the privilege of working with and she was well on her way to becoming a great surgeon,' wrote Aaron Zachary. 'She's gone way too soon and had so much more life to live. May we all remember the kindness she showed us and strive to be great and kind the way she was.'
Jad Sattar added: 'I love you Kelsey. Forever and always. Until we meet again.'
Musgroves often posted herself on hiking trails and in the great outdoors on her Facebook and Twitter accounts. She was also a Black Lives Matter supporter and posted recently about raising money for MS research.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
A couple was out for a hike on Sunday in the "Bull's Head" area of Sevier County, Utah, when what was supposed to be a day appreciating nature turned tragic.
Candice Thompson was a short way behind her husband Colton on the trail when she stepped onto a rock edge that suddenly gave way and sent her plunging around 100 feet.
Colton immediately turned and started running downhill, dialing 911 as he ran. When help arrived by ground and air, Candice was in dire condition.
"First responders on scene included on duty Richfield City Officers and an off-duty Sheriff's deputy began life saving measures," the Sevier County Sheriff's Office posted on Sunday evening.
"EMT's and SAR arrived and were able to transport Candice to a waiting ambulance. A medical helicopter was also on scene, but they were not able to get Candice's vitals stable enough to be transported by helicopter."
The medical professionals at Sevier Valley Hospital continued to work on Candice as soon as she arrived, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Just 26 years old, the young mother leaves behind her husband and their four young children. She enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with her family and decorating; was a nail technician by trade; and was generous and charitable, according to her obituary.
Her passing has been a shock to the community, and many have shown their support through a raffle fundraiser started to help support her family.
"The last couple of days have been heartbreaking for our department family," Police Chief Trent Lloyd posted on the Richfield City Police Facebook page.
"Candice has been a part of our family for most of her life. Her father and I worked many years together and Candice was always a part of that. After Russ retired I hired his son in-law, Colton. Candice continued being part of our family as a wonderful wife to Colton.
"To say that there is a hole in our hearts today is just simply understated because there is just no words."
The Sevier County Sheriff's Office shared an update on Wednesday, confirming that the fall appeared to be accidental and that the area had been weakened due to the elements.
"Evidence at the scene confirms the accounts given by witnesses who were hiking in the same canyon at the time of the accident," the post read.
"Candice was at an edge of a overhang that was eroded away underneath. Due to deteriorating conditions of the rock combined with winter weather and moisture, Candice had been standing on a weak portion of the rock edge, the deteriorated rock edge broke away."
"Close examination of the cliff face and ledge show recent fractures and exposure where other edges show exposure to the weather.
"The Utah Medical Examiners Office has also investigated the cause of death. Their investigation at this time has not yielded any suspicious causes other than the fall."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
articlePhoto of The Enchantments | Katherine Barner
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - The Chelan County Sheriff's Office says a man has died while climbing on Dragontail Peak after falling "several hundred feet."
Deputies say 66-year-old Richard Thurmer, of Mukilteo, was killed while solo hiking earlier this week. His wife told dispatchers that he was hiking in the Enchantments and that she was concerned because she hadn't heard from him in 24 hours.
She said he was not due back until March 29, but he usually contacted her every day. She told deputies her husband was well-equipped for the climb, in good health and a very experienced climber.
On March 30, a Chelan County Sheriff's Office helicopter and a ground rescue team set out to find Thurmer. Around 11:15 a.m., the helicopter crew saw a motionless person lying in the snow at the base of the "Triple Couloir" on the north end of Dragontail Peak.
The helicopter was unable to land due to high winds.
Ground teams arrived at the location several hours later and confirmed the person in the snow as Thurmer. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It appears he fell several hundred feet.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
All pre-orders will be refunded.
In what must be the most shocking news story of the year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed production of the long-awaited Cybertruck has been canceled. The reason? Ongoing development costs have far exceeded the original budget. The controversial-looking EV truck is no longer a viable business case. "Very sad to say we've made the tough decision to cancel our Cybertruck," Musk wrote. "I know there will be plenty of disappointed customers and all pre-orders will be promptly refunded. The decision was made in the best interest of Tesla and its future."
Despite lacking a PR department, inside sources at the California-based automaker are quietly saying Musk studied the numbers and ultimately determined that the currently under construction Gigafactory in Austin, Texas will be better suited for only Model Y and Model 3 production.
Originally, Austin was tasked with building both the Cybertruck and Model Y, but demand for the Model 3 continues to rapidly increase. Furthermore, the Cybertruck's delayed launch and behind-the-scenes issues would have resulted in a much higher price tag than initially announced.
When the Cybertruck concept debuted back in 2019, Musk promised a base price starting at $39,900 for the rear-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel drive version would begin at exactly $10k more. Material costs, in general throughout the auto industry, have increased over the past couple of years since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The ongoing war in Ukraine is not helping matters.
Tesla very recently increased the Model Y's price tag (the cheapest Long Range begins at $62,990 - a $20k increase over the Standard Range) and now needs to redirect the Cybertruck's development budget to avoid additional price hikes for its bread and butter vehicles.
Another reality we think might have factored into Tesla's decision is that legacy OEMs like Ford and GM have beaten it to the EV truck market. The F-150 Lightning's downright affordable starting price is something Tesla can no longer match. Tesla is also anxious to enter the delivery business with vans, a market segment analysts predict will explode by the decade's end. A Tesla source later admitted that this entire article is utter nonsense.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
