'She is gone': Missing hiker found deceased after flash flood in Zion
SPRINGDALE, Utah (KUTV) — An Arizona woman who went missing during a flash flood in southern Utah was found deceased, the family stated.
Jetal Agnihotri, 29, of Tucson, was in the Narrows region of Zion National Park on Friday when the flood waters swept her away from her group. She was reportedly discovered Monday evening during the fourth day of the search.
"She is gone," said her brother, Pujan Agnihotri, who traveled from Texas to be near the search efforts.
The siblings' parents traveled from Arizona to the Zion National Park area, as well.
Park officials said Agnihotri was found in the Virgin River near the Court of the Patriarchs on Monday and later pronounced deceased by a medical examiner. The search had reportedly expanded nearly 22 miles downstream from the area Agnihotri was last seen.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
- Crews search for missing person after flash flooding in Virgin River at Zion National Park
- Family of missing hiker travels to Zion from Arizona, Texas for search
- Locals in southern Utah warn visitors about flash flood dangers
They first received a report at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Friday that multiple hikers were swept off their feet from a flash flood in the Narrows near the Temple of Sinawava.
Park rangers immediately responded and aided hikers who had been injured or stranded.
They received a report later in the day that Agnihotri was overdue from a trip in the Narrows. The search operation for Agnihotri ended Monday after Zion Search and Rescue Team members found her in the Virgin River.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the friends and family of Jetal Agnihotri,” Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park superintendent said.
Officials said over 170 responders contributed to the search operation. They thanked the following groups for their assistance:
- Bureau of Land Management
- Color Country Interagency Fire Center
- Kane County Search and Rescue
- Hurricane Valley Fire District
- National Park Service staff from Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Springdale Police Department
- Utah Search Dogs
- US Forest Service
- Washington County Search and Rescue
- Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Swift water trained rescuers and search dogs also aided in the search.
