Rescue Operation Underway in Sequoia National Forest
Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 | Updated 4:31 PM PDT
A San Bernardino police officer is among three hikers missing in Kings Canyon National Park near Fresno.
Rangers in Kings Canyon are searching for Southern California residents Jordan Zeman, 25, Jake Zeman, 23, and Lanier Rogers, 25.
Officials say Officer Lanier Rogers and brothers Jordan Zeman and Jake Zeman were reported missing Monday night by their families.
The group began an approximately 65 mile trip from Road’s End in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 with the intention of walking out on Monday.
Family reported the backpackers missing on Monday, October 12 at around 10pm. Park rangers began an investigation on Tuesday. As of Wednesday, October 14, 2009, searchers are being called from around the state to aid Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the search effort.
Backcountry hikers in the wilderness area between Road’s End, east to Forrester Pass, south to the Kern-Kaweah River or north to Bubbs Creek are asked to call incident investigators at 559/565-3195 whether or not they saw a group matching that of the missing men.
Heavy rain and higher-elevation snow from the recent storm, enormity of the search area, inability to use aircraft due to weather conditions, and difficult terrain are adding to the complexity.
