8/11 Missing Persons Alert Kings Canyon (Resolved)

Use this forum to stay informed on missing persons alerts, active SAR's and unfortunate hiker accidents we can all hopefully learn from. Any information you may have on a missing person, including first hand weather related information or any other insight (however little) may prove to be critical information to Law Enforcement / SAR in locating the person in question.
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maverick
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8/11 Missing Persons Alert Kings Canyon (Resolved)

Post by maverick »

SEKI NP:
Missing Persons: Jie Song and Yinan Wang
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. August 11, 2017 - The parks received a report on Friday, August 11, of missing parties last seen in Sequoia National Park on Sunday, August 6. Jie Song (left) and Yinan Wang (right) were last seen at approximately 2 PM on Sunday at the junction of Crystal Cave Road and the Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park after attending a Crystal Cave Tour. They intended to continue north to Kings Canyon National Park, stay the night in Fresno, and had reservations in Yosemite National Park on Monday, August 7. They did not show up for their Yosemite reservation.

The pair is driving a white 2012 Ford Focus Sedan, Plate # 6XMM431. The picture is not of their vehicle, but a sample of the same make and model.
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I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
Shawn
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Re: 8/11 Missing Persons Alert Kings Canyon

Post by Shawn »

From the web -

Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and National Parks Service Investigating Case of Missing Couple
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of the possible disappearance of a husband and wife. On the morning of August 11th, a sheriff’s deputy took a report from a family member who said 31 year old Yinan Wang and his 30 year old wife, Jie Song were possibly missing. The relative said Wang and Song were last seen August 6th at Crystal Caves in Sequoia National Park. The couple had planned to drive to Fresno that night, stay in a hotel and continue on to Yosemite National Park the next day. They were scheduled to return home to San Diego on August 9th. However, the relative has not heard from the couple since August 6th and there is no indication they made it to any of the destinations listed above. The Sheriff’s Office contacted rangers with Sequoia National Park and learned they had also received a similar report on August 11th. Wang and Song were last seen driving a 2012 white Ford Focus with a California license plate of 6XMM431.
On August 8th, members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team were working in the area of Hwy.180 near Convict Flat. This was in relation to the recovery operation being planned for the car that went through a guard rail, off a 500 foot cliff and into the Kings River in late July. A SAR deputy, watching local news coverage about it on TV, saw a video clip in the story of a license plate, 6XMM431, lying in the brush. The deputy knew it did not belong to the red car in the river, which is presumed to have been carrying a man and woman from Thailand who are currently enrolled as exchange students at the University of South Florida. The SAR member performed a records check on the plate to see if the vehicle had been reported missing, stolen or involved in an accident. Results showed it belonged to a 2012 Ford Focus and no police reports had been filed in relation to the car. Information about the license plate and vehicle parts found in the area was relayed to the California Highway Patrol so it could create an investigative report. After getting the missing persons report three days later, the connection between Wang, Song and the car became apparent to both agencies.
On August 12th, the Sheriff’s Office and CHP both flew their helicopters above the canyon where the red car remains in the river to see if there are any signs of a white car. Deputies and officers found some vehicle parts in the water about 40 yards upstream from the red car. At this point, we are unable to determine if the parts belong to the white Ford Focus. Members of SAR will have to retrieve the parts before drawing any conclusions. No additional bodies have been found in the water. National Parks Service rangers continue to check their parks for Wang and Song.
SAR is now working a parallel investigation involving the Ford Focus as they continue their efforts to developing a plan to recover the red car belonging to the Thai students. SAR continues to consult with other experts in the field, equipment available to them, daily weather patterns and daily water flows of the river to construct a recovery plan. A date to carry out an operation has not been determined and Sheriff Mims must approve any plan before it is placed into action. The Sheriff’s Office and CHP continue to work together to investigate both cases.
On August 11th, Sheriff Mims, our SAR commander and Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig met with family members of the missing Thai students and Thai Consulate of Los Angeles. This was their first meeting. Sheriff Mims and our SAR commander explained to the families the challenges they face and also showed them pictures and video of the area. They explained to the families that a date has not been chosen for the recovery, but retrieving the bodies of their loved ones is a top priority. Everyone left the meeting with a better understanding of the challenging circumstances.
Anyone with information about Yinan Wang, Jie Song or their car is asked to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111.
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Update 8/14

Post by maverick »

SEKI NP:
The parks received a report on Friday, August 11, of missing parties last seen in Sequoia National Park on Sunday, August 6.
Mr. Yinan Wang and Ms. Jie Song were last seen at the intersection of Crystal Cave Road and the Generals Highway on Sunday, August 6. A search of the parks and the surrounding area was initiated following the missing persons report. The investigation found that the couple was involved in a motor vehicle accident outside of the parks. Accordingly, the search inside of the parks has been discontinued at this time.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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