Renowned BASE Jumper Killed in Yosemite Accident

A well-known BASE jumper and his friend have died in an accident in Yosemite National Park.

A park spokesman says 43-year-old Dean Potter and 29-year-old Graham Hunt died after attempting a wingsuit jump from Taft Point that overlooks El Capitan and Yosemite Valley.

Both were experienced rock climbers and BASE jumpers. And both called the Yosemite area home.

Potter was one of the world’s best rock climbers, known for daring climbs up some of the world’s tallest rock faces without a rope or harness.

Around nine o’clock Saturday night, friends called park rangers because Potter and Hunt failed to arrive at the scheduled meeting point.

A CHP helicopter located the men’s bodies Sunday morning.

Investigators are looking into whether there was an equipment malfunction or other cause for the accident.