Latest news with #RattlesnakeFalls
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Hero diver reveals deadly mission to recover hikers from 'brutal' and frigid California waterfall
A determined diver hiked for over three hours to recover the bodies of three men who died after jumping into a California waterfall to cool off. Juan Heredia, a volunteer diver, pulled the bodies of the trio from Rattlesnake Falls near Soda Springs on Sunday night. The men have been identified as Valentino Creus, 50, of Los Angeles, Matthew Schoenecker, 50, of Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony, 44, of New York City. They were part of a group of six who hiked miles into the woods last Wednesday, in what officials described as an 'extremely remote and difficult to access' trail. After a grueling hike to the site alongside fellow diver Josh Robinson, Heredia said he dived four times into the icy waters for nearly three minutes each to find the men. In a post to his Facebook, Heredia said he did so as the families the of the men needed closure, and that it would likely take weeks for their bodies to resurface. He posted: 'I found them!! The family no longer has to wait in agony!! That waterfall was brutal. He was pushing me hard, but I wouldn't leave without those 3 souls. 'When we finally got signal and called the Sheriff, it was already 9pm. What surprised me was the sergeant's response: 'We're going to send a team to walk right now to take care of the bodies".' He added: 'At 9 o'clock at night. With a cold. Dark. That's having heart. Families shouldn't wait for days. 'If they knew there are people willing to help — divers, volunteers, even officers walking in the dark — they might have answers much sooner.' Heredia also shared a video of himself making his way to the waterfall in the pouring rain and hail. In it, he shows just how rough the terrain was for them to hike to and from the waterfall, while also adding that he has a bad ankle but still managed to make it. He says: 'It's hailing like crazy, but we are here. We are on our way to dive. I am going to dive no matter what, but it's not going to be fun.' His post added: 'Through shine or rain, through loss and pain, God led our path to bring them home again.' The remaining three men that formed the group of six were evacuated via helicopter last Wednesday, Placer County Sheriff's Office said. All three deceased men worked and volunteered for academic organization The International Circle of Genetic Studies. A statement from the organization said: 'We regret to inform you that three of our advisors passed away last Wednesday June 18th, 2025 in ac accident near San Francisco. 'Their names are Dr. Mathew Schoenecker, Dr. Mathew Anthony and Val Creus, M.S. REQUIESCAM IN PACEM!!!! We give pour sympathy to their families.' Search efforts were tampered by gusty winds and low visibility, drawing out the recovery process. According to the Sheriff's Office, searching operations were suspended Thursday 'due to poor underwater visibility caused by debris and strong currents.' A friend of Creus, Matt Meeks, posted a heartbreaking tribute about him on Facebook following his death. He's remembered Creus as 'a true friend' who would 'always give advice.' 'As I reflect on his death, I can't think of a more fitting way for Val to go,' Meeks said, referring to a time his late friend told him how there was never air conditioning in universities in the Philippines. When he walked into an air conditioned room years later, Creus 'laughed' and smiled at Meeks, he recalled. 'Just as Val walked into that cold, air-conditioned center as a young man on a hot day and said yes to the great spiritual river that would guide his life, he spent his final hours doing the same - walking alongside his friends on a hot day, jumping into cold water and letting the river over take him.' Meeks added: 'Val died as he lived - riding that river all the way to Heaven alongside his friends. I sure do miss him.' Schoenecker's sister Noel changed her profile picture on Facebook to an image of herself and her brother in tribute. She said: 'Such unimaginable grief, I cannot even breathe.' Placer County has advised against plunging into local ponds, lakes, and waterfalls for fear of incidents like this one. According to their website, melting snow in northern California can leave water temperatures 'dangerously cold' even as the seasons change. Placer County has warned individuals wishing to enjoy waterways to take extra precaution, regardless of the season. Jumping into frigid waters can cause cold shock which results in 'a rapid loss of breathing control, increased heart rate and a gasp reflex', or hypothermia, a 'dangerous drop in body temperature that can lead to unconsciousness and even death.' Both of these side effects make it more difficult to swim or breathe, leading to drowning in low-temperature waterways like Rattlesnake Falls.
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Bodies recovered of 3 hikers who went missing in water near Rattlesnake Falls
Authorities have now identified the three people who went missing in the water near Rattlesnake Falls in Soda Springs. The Placer County Sheriff's Office said a group of six men was hiking in the area. One of the people in the group called 911 shortly before 3 p.m. to report that three others went into the water and never resurfaced. A California Highway Patrol helicopter and other resources, including sheriff's office dive and search teams, were deployed to the remote area to assist with the search. Initially, the sheriff's office said the search was happening in the area near Heath Falls. Deputies later said the men were believed to have jumped into the water at Rattlesnake Falls. Thursday, the sheriff's office stated that a dive team was flown to the area to help with search efforts. The search operations were suspended on Thursday due to poor underwater visibility caused by debris and strong currents, the sheriff's office said. Increasing winds also made it unsafe to fly in. On Friday, deputies said the search will be in a limited but continuous fashion. The bodies of the three hikers were found on Sunday, the Sheriff's Office said. According to the Placer County Sheriff's Office, the three people whose bodies have been recovered have been identified as 59-year-old Los Angeles resident Valentino Creus, 50-year-old Los Angeles resident Matthew Schoenecker, and 44-year-old New York City resident Matthew Anthony. The sheriff's office noted that the location is remote and takes about a three-hour hike to reach.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Horrific triple tragedy after three hikers jumped into stunning California waterfall
Bodies have been recovered after three men jumped into a California waterfall and never resurfaced. On June 18, six outdoorsmen set out on a hike several miles into the woods near Soda Springs. They embarked on what officials have said was an 'extremely remote and difficult to access' trail. During the journey, three of the hikers plunged into Rattlesnake Falls and did not resurface, completely vanishing beneath the freezing water. Shortly before 3 pm, the remaining hikers contacted local authorities for help. After four days of searching, with major setbacks thanks to weather and wind conditions, the missing bodies were recovered and the Placer County Sheriff's Office confirmed their deaths. 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the bodies of the three men have been recovered,' they said in their statement. 'Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss.' The rescue required California Highway Patrol Helicopters to help evacuate the remaining three men from the rough terrain. The location of which 'made rescue efforts especially challenging,' according to the Place County Sheriff's Office. The remote area required a three hour hike to reach. Authorities sent the Sheriff's Office's dive team, Search and Rescue Units, CAL Fire's technical rescue team and California Highway Patrol's helicopter. A helicopter ushered the three survivors back to safety on Wednesday evening, but the vanished hikers were left unfound for days after. To make matters worse, search efforts were tampered by gusty winds and low visibility, drawing out the process even further. According to the Sheriff's Office, searching operations were suspended Thursday 'due to poor underwater visibility caused by debris and strong currents.' They said: 'Additionally, increasing winds this afternoon have made flying conditions unsafe. Dive team members have been flown back to the command post to conclude efforts for the evening.' Then, on Friday, visibility continued to be poor. The Sheriff's Office wrote: 'The search efforts will continue in a limited but ongoing capacity. Over the next few days, and as wind conditions allow, aerial surveys of the location and overall area will be conducted. 'Once conditions improve, anticipated by Sunday, a coordinated plan is in place to return to the site with enhanced equipment and support from mutual aid partners to further the search efforts.' By Sunday, conditions finally cleared and the team was able to locate the bodies. By then they were lifeless in the frigid water. Placer County has advised against plunging into local ponds, lakes, and waterfalls for fear of incidents like this one. According to their website, melting snow in northern California can leave water temperatures 'dangerously cold' even as the seasons change. Placer County has warned individuals wishing to enjoy waterways to take extra precaution, regardless of the season. Jumping into frigid waters could cause cold shock which results in 'a rapid loss of breathing control, increased heart rate and a gasp reflex.' Or hypothermia, a 'dangerous drop in body temperature that can lead to unconsciousness and even death.' Both of these side effects make it more difficult to swim or breathe, leading to drowning in low-temperature waterways like Rattlesnake Falls. The Placer County Sheriff's department has yet to release the names of the individuals or any further details on the incident.
New York Times
23-06-2025
- New York Times
Bodies of 3 Hikers Who Jumped in Water Near Lake Tahoe Are Recovered
The bodies of three hikers who disappeared after they jumped into the water at Rattlesnake Falls in Soda Springs, Calif., last week were found on Sunday, the authorities said, ending a multiday search that had been hampered by rough terrain and bad conditions. The men, who had been hiking with three other people, jumped into the water on Wednesday, but did not resurface, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said in a statement posted online. The three other hikers used a satellite phone to text 9-1-1 for help around 3 p.m. after the men did not reappear, Elise Soviar, the sheriff's office communication manager, said on Monday. The area, about 30 miles from Lake Tahoe, has a 'challenging terrain' and is 'located several miles in on a steep and difficult hiking trail,' the sheriff's office said. A California Highway Patrol helicopter was used to evacuate the three remaining hikers on Wednesday evening. Several agencies helped with the search for the men who had jumped in the water, including the sheriff's office dive team, search and rescue units, and Cal Fire's Technical Rescue Team. The water in the region is 'always cold and hazardous this time of year due to snowpack melt,' said Ms. Soviar from the sheriff's office. Rescue efforts were suspended on Thursday afternoon because debris and strong currents caused poor underwater visibility, the sheriff's office said, noting that increasing winds had also made flying conditions unsafe. The search efforts continued on Friday and Saturday but were limited because of the wind conditions, according to the sheriff's office. With the conditions improving Sunday, the office proceeded with a coordinated plan to return to the area where the men jumped and continued the search using enhanced equipment and support from search partners. That morning, the authorities found the bodies of the three men. The sheriff's office identified the men on Monday as Matthew Schoenecker, 50, of Los Angeles; Valentino Creus, 59, also of Los Angeles; and Matthew Anthony, 44, of New York City. 'Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,' the sheriff's office said. It is hard to quantify how frequently hikers need to be rescued from this remote and isolated area, Ms. Soviar said, but she noted that this was the only rescue effort there in the past year.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
3 men found dead after jumping into water near California waterfall
Three people were found dead over the weekend following a multi-day search and rescue mission at Rattlesnake Falls in California. On Wednesday, June 18, the Placer County Sheriff's Office received a report about the individuals entering the water in the Soda Springs area, according to a news release. Officials learned that the missing men were part of a hiking group when they decided to jump into Rattlesnake Falls and failed to resurface, prompting ground and aerial search efforts. The other men who were with them were evacuated via helicopter on June 19 because the area is "remote" and a "difficult trail." California Highway Patrol assisted with this rescue. Lake Tahoe: 6 people dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes Deputies said search operations continued throughout the week, but were disrupted due to weather conditions and strong currents. The Placer County Sheriff's Office announced on June 22 that "the bodies of the three men have been recovered." Their identities have not been released. USA TODAY reached out to the agency for more information. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss," the statement continued. A volunteer diver involved in the mission said in a Facebook post that he and another person had to hike for more than three hours to get to the area before diving into the "ice water" several times. "We couldn't wait. I knew it could take weeks to surface. Families needed to close this chapter already," Juan Heredia wrote, adding that they called the sheriff's office around 9 p.m. "What surprised me was the sergeant's response: 'We're going to send a team to walk right now to take care of the bodies,'" the post continued. Soda Springs is approximately 26 miles from Lake Tahoe. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 men dead after jumping into water at California's Rattlesnake Falls
