Zion National Park received a report around 2:15 p.m. on Friday, August 19 of multiple hikers being swept off their feet by a flash flood in the Narrows near the Temple of Sinawava. Later in the evening, the National Park Service received a report of a hiker, Jetal Agnihotri of Tucson, Arizona, who was overdue from a trip in the Narrows.
In response, park rangers continued monitoring the river during the night and mobilized additional searchers early on August 20. More than 20 Zion Search and Rescue Team members are working in and near the Virgin River searching for this missing person.
“Park rangers and other members of the Zion Search and Rescue Team responded quickly to this event, and we are continuing our efforts,” Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park superintendent said. “I want to express the park’s appreciation for the ongoing support we’ve received from the National Weather Service, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Hurricane Valley Fire District as we continue search and rescue operations.”
Zion rangers are monitoring the weather and continuing the park’s search and rescue efforts.
Following a search and rescue operation that began on Friday, August 19, the Narrows and Riverside Walk will remain closed. The Zion Search and Rescue Team will continue to search for a missing person on Saturday, August 20.
— Zion National Park (@ZionNPS) August 20, 2022