Overview

• On June 18, three members of a six-person hiking group jumped into the icy plunge pool at Rattlesnake Falls near Soda Springs and did not resurface.
• Placer County Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE, California Highway Patrol helicopter units and search and rescue teams conducted a multi-agency operation in extremely remote terrain.
• Strong currents, underwater debris and high winds repeatedly forced search suspensions before crews could complete the recovery.
• Juan Heredia volunteered as a diver and spent hours hiking and diving in freezing water to locate the victims on June 22.
• Authorities identified the deceased as Matthew Schoenecker and Valentino Creus of Los Angeles and Matthew Anthony of New York City.