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Search For Missing Hiker Moves South Of Zion National Park

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By Compiled From N... - August 22nd, 2022
When water flows are low the Narrows slot canyon at Zion is a popular hike, but flash floods can turn it deadly./NPS

When water flows are low the Narrows slot canyon at Zion is a popular hike, but flash floods can turn it deadly. Searchers continued Monday to look for an Arizona woman swept away by flood waters on Friday/NPS file

The search for a hiker missing since a flash flood swept through the Narrows area of Zion National Park expanded Monday to an area south of the park along the Virgin River, with National Park Service staff assisting local law enforcement agencies.

Jetal Agnihotri, of Tucson, Arizona, hasn't been seen since the flood Friday afternoon and evening, according to park staff. Torrential rains sent the flood waters down through the popular slot canyon just to the north of the Temple of Sinawava on the floor of Zion Canyon, with the flood knocking several hikers off their feet near the Temple of Sinawava.

Near the Temple of Sinawava, park rangers found an injured hiker who had been swept downstream several hundred yards. A National Park Service ambulance transported the hiker to a hospital. Other rangers hiked up Riverside Walk and found several hikers who were isolated by high water on high ground. Rangers directed them to remain in place until water receded and then assisted them to safety.

Throughout that afternoon and evening rangers interviewed groups of visitors exiting the Narrows and Riverside Walk to ensure they were not missing a member of their party. At that time, no hikers were reported missing. However, later that night the Park Service received a report that the 29-year-old Agnihotri was overdue from a trip in the Narrows.

A video shot by the woman's brother of the flood waters captured images of two people being swept downstream, one of who was believed to be Agnihotri.

On Sunday, the Washington County Sheriff Office’s Swift Water Team checked fast-flowing and deep areas of the Virgin River inside the park, while dog handlers investigated vegetation and log-jams. On Monday, the sheriff's office asked the Park Service for assistance in seraching areas of the Virgin River south of the national park. The search outside the park was focused on areas in or near the Virgin River, including fast-flowing and deep water. Park rangers also contiunued to look for the missing woman along the river corridor in the park.

With the ongoing search, the park closed the Riverside Walk and the Narrows to the public, and canceled Narrows camping permits and top-down river hiking permits.

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