Reckless tourists leave hikers stunned after jumping safety fence to pose for pictures on CLIFF EDGE

Last updated: 2024/06/18 at 2:28 PM

Katie Dollard

3 Min Read

A grab from the video captured by Maddie Hopkins showing two tourists who endangered themselves by climbing over the fence at Yosemite National Park to take pictures of themselves on the cliff edge. (Picture: Jam Press)

Two reckless tourists left hikers stunned after jumping a safety fence at Yosemite National Park and posing on the edge of a cliff.

Maddie Hopkins, who was hiking the Mist Trail in Calfornia, US, captured the shocking moment on video.

In the clip, two men can be seen on the wrong side of a safety rail, smiling for pictures without a care in the world.

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Maddie, who shared the video on her Instagram account, slammed the pair for putting themselves in danger.

“Vernall Falls is known for sweeping people away, which is why the park has fences in place,” she told What’s The Jam.

A grab from the video captured by Maddie Hopkins showing two tourists who endangered themselves by climbing over the fence at Yosemite National Park to take pictures of themselves on the cliff edge. (Picture: Jam Press) — *Maddie Hopkins. (Picture: Jam Press)*

“We actually witnessed a helicopter rescue on the trail just a few hours earlier.

“Yosemite’s search and rescue team works so hard to keep park visitors safe.

“Tourists like the ones we saw on Vernall Falls make their job one hundred times harder.”

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The video has gathered over 669,000 views, 14,200 likes and thousands of comments from shocked users.

One person said: “Unbelievable.”

Two reckless tourists jumped a safety fence at Yosemite, posing on a cliff edge. Captured on video by Maddie Hopkins, the clip has gone viral, sparking outrage over their dangerous stunt. — *Social media comment on the post. (Picture: Jam Press)*

Pam commented: “These people need to be ban from all National Parks for life. Not to protect them but to protect the rescuers that have to put their own life at risk if she falls.”

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Rob added: “Hey, look at me. I am more important than anyone.”

Tammy wrote: “Seriously, what is wrong with people?”

Chuck said: “People have lost instincts and common sense.”

Tori commented: “And this is why people die every year, falling off of cliffs and waterfalls.”

Someone else wrote: “People die EVERY YEAR from crossing the barriers.”

Another user added: “This gives me anxiety just looking at it.”

Maddie added: “I think it’s important to be considerate of the park’s first responders when exploring somewhere like Yosemite.

“I understand the desire to take risks and get closer to the falls for a photo.

“That said, many people don’t realise the dangerous position that search and rescue personnel are put in when they have to recover injured or killed hikers from areas like Vernall Falls.”