Longtime Golden West High School boys’ basketball coach and Visalia teacher Drew Hall has died while tourism in a remote and rough area of the Sequoia National Park, staff confirmed on Monday afternoon.
Described as “fit and active”, Hall is the fifth death that happened in the Sequoia National Park this year.
Golden West ‘Drew Hall’s head coach talks with players between the period during the match against Golden West in basketball for boys who are not in the League, Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
The 36-year-old Hall went to tourism on Saturday in a steep field when he had a fatal medical emergency, a statement from the National Park Service said. Hall was on tourism alone and was later found by friends and a search and rescue team after worried family members reported overdue.
He split from his group and told them that he would meet them at a checkpoint on Saturday afternoon. When he did not show up, friends called the Rangers.
Rangers Park said the district hall was tourism is known for its difficult access and challenging conditions, with sharp elevation of elevation, free rock and limited mobile phone service. Recovery efforts around 3:00 pm on Monday require the use of specialized teams and equipment because of the remote location of the place where his body was found.
Hall was a PE teacher for Unified School District Visalia and in 2024 celebrated its 10th season with Trailblazers in Golden West High School.
“I love Golden West. I love the school. I love the administrator,” he told Visalia Times-Delta in 2024 “I only love all the culture, all the other coaches. It’s a great place. It’s just a blessing, a privilege.
Hall was married with two young children. A Gofundme.com site has been set up to help family with Hall’s death costs. Their goal is $ 35,000 – they reach over $ 25,000 by the beginning of Tuesday. More than 160 people donated.
“We are raising money for Drew Hall’s family after his tragic, unexpected passage,” the publication said. “Drew was an incredible family man and a great basketball coach at Golden West High School. He really loved his players and family and always helping others. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters, please help us support them. Everything will help.”
Visalia Chief Kirk Shum said the area complains of the loss of one of them and helps teachers and employees pass through the tragedy.
“We are deeply saddened by the passage of Drew and our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” he said. “The district reports the support and resources of these employees and students affected by its loss and will continue to provide sorrow maintenance services in the coming weeks and months.”
SAWTOOTH Peak High Sierra Mountains with a lake in front, where Hall was found on Monday.
A decade in the creation: Drew Basketball coach Drew Hall enters the 10th year at Golden West
Sequoia and Kings Canyon emergency crews were used for 60 search and rescue incidents this year, five of which happened last weekend.
The Sequoia National Park, created in 1890, is one of the oldest national parks in the United States and is home to the Whitney-the highest peak in the continental US-as-famous Sherman general tree. The desert of the park covers more than 800,000 acres and attracts thousands of tourists from background every year.
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The national park service reminded visitors to plan forward, to remain on marked paths when possible, and to inform someone their route.
The incident remains in the process of investigation.
This story was updated to add more information.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Prep Basketball coach of Visalia Drew Hall dies at the Sekoya National Park