UPDATE: May 2nd, 2009
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Yesterday afternoon, Grand Canyon National Park Rangers recovered the body of a young man missing since Thursday morning, when he and two others disappeared after jumping into the Colorado River. The young man has been identified as 16 year-old, Mark Merrill.
Mark’s body was located in the Colorado River approximately one mile below Boat Beach, where the young men were last seen.
Search efforts continue for 22 year-old Joey Merrill and 16 year-old Saif Savaya, the two young men still missing in the Colorado River. Park rangers have searched an area on the river from Boat Beach to Hermit Rapid, a distance of approximately 10 river miles. Rangers have searched by helicopter, by boat and on foot. A search dog and its handler also searched the area below Boat Beach on both sides of the river, and park rangers prepared and distributed a missing person’s flyer to boaters and hikers along the river.
Park rangers will continue to search for the young men during river patrols and have enlisted the assistance of the many commercial and private boaters currently on the river. Missing person posters continue to be distributed to boaters launching from Lees Ferry and to inner canyon hikers.
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An aerial search is underway at the Grand Canyon for three people who were swept away by river waters.
Witnesses say they saw the three people jump into the river near Boat Beach. A 911 call from Phantom Ranch near Boat Beach was placed at about 8:45 this morning.
The National Park Service is being assisted in search efforts by a boat crew from Diamond River Adventures at Pipe Creek.
Colorado River water temperatures currently range from 49 to 52 degrees.
Watch NAZ Today live at 6 p.m. tonight and check back here for further updates.
May the Lord watch over these young men, and bring comfort to their families. Please pray for these dear folks.
We are praying for these young teenagers. Here from Australia. A friend of mine knows one of the boys very dearly.God Bless!
There are many people here in Mississippi who know two of these guys and their family. They are good guys. We are all praying for them.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE YOUNG MEN SO THAT THEY COULD MAYBE STILL BE ALIVE. ALSO PRAY FOR THEIR FAMILIES THAT THE LORD WILL GIVE THEM PRAISE AND STRENGTH SO THAT THEY COULD ALL TAKE THIS THE EASY WAY. PLEASE PRAY TO THE LORD FOR HELP AND COURAGE. WE KNOW SAIF AND HES A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF OURS, AND IF HIM AND JOEY ARE STILL ALIVE THAT WILL BE A MIRACLE PLEASE PRAY TO THE LORD!!!
Joey was my best friend and I love him and his family very much. We are praying for these families to know the comfort only God can give….
saif……..i <3 u brother…..hang in their mannn….i know ur sooo strong and that you r capable of doing anythin…if u were capable of swimming half way through the colorado river..(which i totally think that was sooo brave yet soo stupid…but still noone would have had the guts to do that) then u can handle alot of things….but if ur with God….then im happy for u bro but i will still miss u
Saif… i love you
cant wait to see you in heaven buddy. miss you so much already
i dont no saif that well hes my cousins cousin all i hurd about him is that he was a rilly kool guy my cousin has been crying about this since he hurd what happend 4-30-09 R.I.P SAIF SAVAYA.GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.