Posted on 06/23/2025 2:35:41 PM PDT by algore
Three hikers have died after jumping into a California waterfall to cool off, and never resurfacing.
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 decided to jump into Rattlesnake Falls, leaving three others behind.
The men in the water didn't resurface. After a three-day search for their bodies, they were retrieved on Monday. before 3 pm, the remaining hikers contacted local authorities for help.
The men have since been identified as Valentino Creus, 50, of Los Angeles, Matthew Schoenecker, 50, of Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony, 44, of New York City.
'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.'
All three men worked and volunteered for academic organization The International Circle of Genetic Studies, that wrote a statement following the news: '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.'
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I wonder what they knew.
They’re not saying. 🙀🙀
PhD does not guarantee being smart.
This waterfall looks pretty scary.
No way I would jump there!
Water Safety 101: Understand what a scour hole is before jumping into a waterfall.
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.
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Poor Val. He never made it to PhD like the other geniuses.
Do we know why they died? Was it the cold ?
Or shallow, underwater rock, formation ?
Exactly. When I was with the Army in Germany, Armed Forces Television ran ads warning about jumping to streams and lakes that were fed from Alpine runoff. Even on a hot day the water could be freezing and cause shock.
Did Darwin found “The International Circle of Genetic Studies?”
It is probably 5’ deep.
Aren't PhD geneticists required to take Physics 101?
A 3 had information on Hillary Clinton…
It looks like the cold is what may have gotten them.
This happened before. There Youtubers also dove into a pool from atop a waterfall. None survived.
A tragic waterfall accident has led to the death of three popular travel vloggers.
“High on Life” YouTube stars Ryker Gamble, Alexey Lyakh and Lyakh’s girlfriend, Megan Scraper, were killed Tuesday as the three were on their latest adventure in Canada.
Sounds very similar
I’m not sure this counts as a tragedy. Self-inflicted death by jumping into a waterfall (that downflow creates a hell of an undertow) is more like a STUPIDITY.
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