Here’s the latest on the hikers who went missing in Utah

Authorities in Kane County, Utah, have released more information about the search and rescue of hikers who went missing in Buckskin Gulch this week – including the identities of two hikers who died.

Bill Romaniello, one of the late walkers, was an athletic trainer for Tampa Bay’s Orthopedic Medical Group, where he also served as the practice’s director of business development and sports medicine, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He also served as an athletic coach at Jesuit High School.

Jeff Watson, the other hiker who died, was a partner in the Orthopedic Medical Group practice, the Tampa Bay Times reported. He was an orthopedic surgeon, co-owner of Tampa Sports Academy, and chief executive officer of cannabis industry consulting firm Los Canna Global.

A press release from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office explained that beginning March 10, Romaniello went on a 45-mile hike from Wire Pass to Lee’s Ferry with two other men — Ed Smith and Watson. They should reach Lee’s Ferry on March 12th.

Just before 9am Monday, authorities in the area received a call regarding the men as they were not returning as expected. Kane County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel began a search in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, and two Utah Department of Public Safety helicopters were dispatched.

Around the time the hikers went missing, severe weather, including rain, was hitting the area. Eventually, first responders were able to locate one of the hikers in Buckskin Gulch, North America’s longest slot gorge.
It’s a “very popular” spot for hiking, and according to the sheriff’s office, thousands visit the gorge each year.

It was around 5 p.m. Monday when the Department of Public Safety spotted Smith with an infrared camera and lowered a rescuer into the ravine to find him before he was heaved out of the ravine for treatment by medical personnel. Smith said the group was hit by a flash flood Saturday morning, which carried them downstream.

Flooding in the area was a problem due to massive snowpack meltdown.

While Smith and Watson were able to extricate themselves from the flood, they were unable to find Romaniello. Watson had a leg injury so Smith sought help.

“Mr. Smith was extremely cold and weak,” the sheriff’s office said when he was found. “After giving a brief interview, he was transported to the hospital by medical helicopter.”

“During the night, a search team found the body of Bill Romaniello in the ravine near the Middle Route area,” the sheriff’s office said.

While the search and rescue teams worked, Kane County received more 911 calls in the Buckskin Gulch area. Public safety personnel were able to locate one group that was exhausted and unable to continue due to weather conditions. They heaved the six people in this group out of the gorge. Rescue workers also helped another group of four out of the gorge.

By 4 a.m. Tuesday, crews were working “in treacherous conditions” and “faced neck-deep, cold pools of water and waist-deep quicksand” as they continued to search for the missing hiker.

“Searching for 911, they encountered a lone hiker several miles in Arizona. They landed and spoke to him, and he stated that he passed by a deceased person Monday,” the sheriff’s office said. “He described the area but crews could not find the body on Tuesday. A Coconino County, Arizona state representative was able to contact the lone hiker as he finished his hike at Lee’s Ferry for more information.”

Heavy rain poured over the area on Wednesday morning, but crews searched again in the afternoon. Using information from the hiker, they were able to locate a deceased person about 3.5 miles from Arizona.
Rescue teams confirmed it was Watson.

“They were able to haul Watson out of the ravine and because he was found in Arizona, he was turned over to the Coconino County Coroner’s Office for examination,” the Kane County press release said.

Kane County law enforcement encourages hikers to prepare for weather conditions and exercise caution before venturing into Buckskin Gulch.

“Our hearts go out to the Romaniello and Watson families for their loss,” the sheriff’s office said. “Both men were pillars in their communities and a great loss to the healthcare sector in which they worked.”