A tragic accident has shaken Yosemite National Park after a 23-year-old climber, Balin Miller from Alaska, fell to his death from the iconic El Capitan while livestreaming on TikTok.
Miller, who had been climbing since childhood, was attempting the ascent on Wednesday when the accident occurred. His mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, described him as someone deeply passionate about climbing, saying: “His heart and soul was truly to just climb. He loved to climb, and it was never about money and fame.”
According to reports, Miller successfully reached the summit but fell while trying to retrieve bags that got stuck on a rock. The tragic moment was captured live, leaving viewers horrified. One fan wrote: “He made it to the summit, but as he was trying to retrieve the bags, he fell to his death, all caught on the livestream.”
Park rangers and emergency responders rushed to the scene, but Miller could not be saved. His death marks the third fatality in Yosemite this summer. The National Park Service has launched an investigation into the incident.
The accident came on the same day the U.S. government shutdown began, leaving many national parks short-staffed. Conservationists have since advised visitors to stay away from the parks during this period due to limited services and safety concerns.