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Date: April 26, 2010
Contact: Ron Terry, 435-772-0160

The body of a male was found in the North Fork of the Virgin River near the Gateway to the Zion Narrows at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, April 26, 2010.  Park Rangers were immediately dispatched to the location.  The identity of the man is not yet known. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified and a medical examiner and investigator were dispatched to the scene. It is standard procedure that the Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the National Park Service, investigates all fatalities in the park.   

At the time of the body discovery, a search and rescue operation was in progress searching for two men in the Zion Narrows.  On Sunday morning, the National Park Service received notification from a family member that the two men had planned to float through The Narrows on a raft and were overdue from their expected Saturday afternoon completion time.   

A search was launched including both a helicopter and ground searchers. The men were not located on Sunday.  The search continues on Monday using helicopters and ground searchers. While the search and body recovery are in progress, the Riverside Walk and Zion Narrows are closed to public entry.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.