Search For Missing Hiker Continues At Zion National Park

WASHINGTON COUNTY, UT — Emergency crews continued to search this week for a hiker who went missing Friday after flash flooding struck Zion National Park, according to the National Park Service.

Jetal Agnihotri, of Tucson, Arizona, did not return from a trip to the Narrows area of the park, the service said. She had been with friends from her university, but went on ahead of them, KSL-TV reported, adding Agnihotri does not know how to swim.

A search team, including dog handlers, was searching the Virgin River both in the park and south of it, according to the service, which said the search area spanned fast-flowing and deep water. The team included members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Zion National Park Search and Rescue Team, and the National Park Service.

The Narrows were closed Monday, as was Riverside Walk. Emerald Pools and the Kayenta Trail had been closed following rain Thursday and remained so.

During the flash flooding Friday, park rangers rescued an injured hiker who was swept several hundred yards downstream and required an ambulance, as well as several hikers trapped on high ground, the service said.