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Man who died at Eagle Falls named

William Ferchland
Sun News Service

A 27-year-old man from San Rafael was identified as the lone fatality at Eagle Falls when a strong current swept the man off a waterfall up to 60 feet, authorities said.

John Randolph Galding III died Sunday at the falls at Emerald Bay, authorities said. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is pending.

Brian Barton, supervising ranger for the California State Parks Lake Tahoe region, said Randolph was hiking with three other people who lost sight of the man.



“They had stopped to look at scenery,” Barton said. “Why he left the roadway no one knows but someone saw him in the water trying to hang on a bush.”

A witness saw Randolph lose grip of the bush and down the falls, which has a drop of 60 feet to boulders and rough waters.



Barton was unaware of Randolph’s clothing and footwear but noted his three companions wore swimsuits and flip-flops.

Search and Rescue Coordinator Greg Almos said people venturing into Tahoe’s backcountry should take the proper precautions.


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