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A Northern California college student who fell to his death at Yosemite National Park was an “amazing human” known for his kindness, positivity and warm smile, his wrestling coach said.
Read more Northern California college student dies in Yosemite fall: ‘An amazing human’
Santa Rosa Junior College student Ryan George, 19, died Sunday, Sept. 20, after he fell while hiking near Glacier Point, numerous media outlets reported.
The college’s wresting program confirmed the “tragic news” in a Monday, Sept. 21, post on its Facebook page.
How did Northern California college student die?
George was hiking with friends near Illilouette Falls in Yosemite National Park when he slipped and fell, The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa previously reported.
“George was declared deceased at the scene,” the National Park Service said Thursday, Sept. 24, in a statement to The Bee.
“The investigation is complete, and the incident was determined to be an accidental fall,” park officials said.
George, a Santa Rosa native and Montgomery High School graduate, had competed two days earlier in the Dave Pacheco Invitational at Sacramento City College, according to previous Press Democrat reporting.
Who was Santa Rosa teenager killed in Yosemite fall?
Fred Duerr, head wrestling coach and faculty member at Santa Rosa Junior College, said details about George’s death are “limited right now.”
“It’s been a very difficult time for us to process this loss,” Duerr told The Bee in an emailed statement.
“If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet,” Duerr wrote. “He had a way of lighting up a room, making you feel welcome and bringing out the best in everyone around him.”
Duerr said George was “always smiling, always encouraging, always full of life.”
“He was an amazing leader and wrestler, but more than that, he was an amazing human,” Duerr said, describing George as “kind, loyal, funny, and the kind of friend everyone wishes they had in their life.”
“We love you and we will miss you so much, Ryan,” Duerr added. “Thank you for everything you gave us all.”
In a comment on the Santa Rosa Junior College wrestling program’s post, Facebook user Chris Kneis remembered George as a choir member.
“I remember the first concert and I noticed that smile,” Kneis wrote. “He made being in choir cool. I am in shock that we all will be missing this big-hearted soul.”
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Fundraisers launched to help Ryan George’s family
George’s grandmother, Valerie George, started a SupportNow fundraiser to help his family cover the costs of retrieving his and transporting his body, as well as burial, funeral and memorial service expenses.
“Ryan tragically lost his life in a devastating accident,” she wrote on the fundraiser page, titled “Help Bring Ryan Home—Support Ryan George’s Family.” “Our family is now facing the painful and difficult process of recovering Ryan and bringing him home so that we can lay him to rest with the dignity, love and respect he deserves.”
Ryan George’s grandmother said he was “deeply loved.”
“Our greatest desire is simply to bring Ryan home and give him the beautiful and dignified farewell he deserves,” she wrote
As of Thursday, the fundraiser had raised more than $3,800 toward a $25,000 goal.
Meanwhile, Santa Rosa resident Maranda Maybee set up a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help George’s older sister, Jaida.
“Jaida is grieving the loss of two family members that came so unexpectedly, on top of it all being a new mommy to her precious Son who is only 2 months old,” Maybee wrote on the GoFundMe campaign site.
“We want to help relieve as much stress for Jaida as possible,” Maybee added. “We are asking our family, friends and community to come together and help support her during this incredibly difficult time.”
George’s mother died weeks before George, and their father died 19 years ago, the Press Democrat reported.
As of Thursday, the GoFundMe fundraiser had raised more than $12,000 toward a goal of $15,000.
2 dead in Sierra Nevada falls
George is the latest person to die in a fall at Yosemite National Park in the past few months.
In July, 22-year-old Josue Baires Alfaro died after being swept over Nevada Fall, The Bee reported at the time.
California climber Jacob “Jake” Whisenant, who set a speed record on Yosemite’s El Capitan, died after a fall in Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness in early August, The Bee previously reported.
The 30-year-old Mammoth Falls man died from blunt force trauma on Aug. 2, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
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