Man Commits Suicide By Going Over Yosemite Falls

On the afternoon of Monday, March 9th, rangers received a call from a man threatening to commit suicide from the top of Yosemite Falls, which falls 2500 feet to the valley floor below. A ground team was immediately dispatched up the steep trail to try to negotiate with the man, who claimed to be armed. Winter conditions, snow, ice, and steep terrain added to the complexity of the operation. A California Highway Patrol helicopter and Tuolumne County SWAT team members were also dispatched to assist with the incident. Rangers found David Zerbe on a rock outcropping in the narrow, snowy gorge on the edge of Upper Yosemite Fall. Zerbe said that he had taken a large dose of medications, possibly including anti-anxiety and seizure drugs. According to the rangers, Zerbe appeared to be impaired when they reached him. Negotiations continued until just after 7:30 p.m., when Zerbe entered the frigid water and was carried over the edge. Recovery efforts have been unsuccessful but are continuing as conditions permit.  Ranger Jeff Webb is the incident commander.