1 dead, 1 injured after rockfall at Yosemite National Park

The rockfall occurred on a popular climbing route near El Capitan's summit.

ByABC News
September 29, 2017, 5:12 AM

— -- One person is dead and another injured from a rockfall at Yosemite National Park on Wednesday.

The rockfall occurred around 1:55 p.m. on a popular climbing route on El Capitan, an iconic rock formation above Yosemite Valley, according to a press release.

The release point for the rockfall appears to be near the Waterfall route on the east buttress of El Capitan, park officials said.

Yosemite officials identified the person killed as 32-year-old Andrew Foster of Wales and said his wife was injured in the rockfall.

Parker rangers transported her to receive medical care outside the park, the release states.

It is climbing season at Yosemite National Park, with many taking on El Capitan and other climbing destinations, according to park officials. The park remained opened after the rockfall, and visitor services were not affected. The park said about 80 rockfalls are reported each year, with many more unreported.

Further details were not immediately available.