YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) â€" Yosemite National Park officials said Thursday they have no plans to add new warning signs or other protections to the area where three young people were swept over a 317-foot waterfall this week.
Witnesses say the three hikers ignored warnings and climbed guard railing at the top of Vernal Fall on Tuesday to wade into the Merced River, several dozen feet from the water's drop.
One woman slipped, and two men fell in while trying to save her.
Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman says the site's railing and single sign are adequate and it's the visitor's responsibility to exercise judgment and caution when near any cliff.
Authorities and park officials throughout the region have issued strong warnings about water dangers this summer as high temperatures melt the near-record Sierra Nevada snowpack.
Meanwhile, friends described the three hikers as church role models who normally did not take risks.
Members of St. George's Church in Ceres gathered for a prayer vigil Wednesday evening, grieving over the tragedy that occurred on a church group outing a day earlier.
The church pastor, Genard Lazar, was a part of the group of about a dozen hikers who ascended the steep Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls to pose for photographs.
Tanya Badal, the sister of victim Ramina Badal, saw her sister go over the falls. She declined to talk about what happened atop Vernal's precipice, but said that despite the passage of time she was still praying the three would be found alive.
"I still have hope," she said outside of the church.
Bishop Mar Awa Royel said he has been praying with the family for a quick recovery of the bodies, still missing after two days of searching.
On Wednesday Badal's parents, Tony and Virginia, supported each other as they walked sobbing into the church. When Virginia's knees buckled, Tony caught her.
"This will be a chance for us to re-educate our young people about how valuable life is," said Charmain Morad-Daniel, a member of the Assyrian National Council of Stanislaus County, as mourners packed the church
Friends said the victims likely did not understand that the swift-moving Merced River could be so treacherous.
Witnesses say the young tourists were trying to pose for a picture. Instead they burned a horrifying image into the memories of everyone who saw.
Badal, Hormiz David, 22, of Modesto, and Ninos Yacoub, 27, of Turlock were swept to their deaths.
A man believed to be David crossed a metal barricade with Badal above the falls to make their way over slick granite to a rock in the middle of the swift Merced River.
Badal slipped and David reached in for her and fell in. Yacoub had been trying to take their photo, friends said, and he slipped in when he tried to save them.
Other hikers, including several children in their group, could only watch as the rushing water swept all three students over the edge.
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