Climber hit by rock, dies on Yosemite's El Capitan

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif.

The National Park Service says Felix Joseph Kiernan was climbing on the East Buttress of the granite monolith about 600 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor when a rock dislodged and struck him Sunday afternoon. The block of granite fell about 150 feet before striking Kiernan.

Witnesses climbing just below Kiernan and his partner saw the accident and called for help. Yosemite search and rescue teams reached the victim about two hours later.

It's the second major accident in the park in as many days. A 19-year-old Sacramento man was swept over a waterfall Saturday. The search for him is on hold until water levels subside.

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