Toxic algae possible cause of death of entire family of hikers

Published

4 years ago

August 21, 2021

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A toxic algae bloom is under investigation as one of the possible causes after an entire family of hikers were found dead on a remote trail in California.

Police are looking into whether water they drank may have been poisoned by the algae or whether other hazards may have contributed to the deaths.

John Gerrish, his wife, Ellen Chung, their one-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog were all found dead on a hiking trail near Hite’s Cove in the Sierra National Forest after a family friend reported them missing on Monday evening.

Police were baffled as there was no obvious explanation for the deaths.

Kristie Mitchell, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said: “This is a very unusual, unique situation. There were no signs of trauma, no obvious cause of death. There was no suicide note.”

The area where the bodies were found was closed off on Tuesday.

Poisonous gas leaks from a series of old gold mine shafts in the area was also a potential cause being considered, but the Fresno Bee newspaper reported on Thursday that Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said he did not believe the mines were a factor. Dehydration is also being considered.

The bodies are now undergoing post-mortem examinations in Mariposa and toxicology studies will also take place.

Meanwhile, waterways in the area are being tested for toxic algae.

Their friend, Mariposa real estate agent Sidney Radanovich, said the couple were avid hikers.

He told the San Francisco Chronicle: “They were such a loving couple. He loved showing the baby all sorts of things and explaining them to her.”

The remote area where the bodies were found had no mobile phone service, Ms Mitchell said.

US

Elon Musk says he’s created his own political party – the ‘America Party’

Published

5 hours ago

July 5, 2025

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Elon Musk says he's created his own political party - the 'America Party'

Elon Musk says he has created a new political party – the America Party –
after asking his followers if he should do so in an online poll.

It follows his public falling out with Republican President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the billionaire had asked his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created.

On Saturday evening he wrote on the same platform: “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

The world’s richest man made the announcement just one day after President Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which Musk had fiercely opposed.

Musk had previously said we would form and fund a new political party to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill.

From bromance to bust-up

The Tesla boss backed Trump’s election campaign with more than a quarter of a billion dollars, later rewarded with a high profile role running the newly created department of government efficiency (DOGE).

But observers of the two men, both with huge wealth and reputations, wondered how long the bromance would last.

In May Musk left the role, still on good terms with Trump but criticising key parts of his legislative agenda.

After that, the attacks ramped up, with Musk slamming the sweeping tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” and Trump hitting back in a barbed tit-for-tat.

Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billion-dollar federal subsidies that flow to Musk’s companies, and said he would even consider deporting him.

US

Is this the most powerful Trump’s been?

Published

10 hours ago

July 5, 2025

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👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed and he’s due to sign it into law on Independence Day. Mark Stone and David Blevins discuss how the bill will supercharge his presidency, despite its critics.

They also chat Gaza and Ukraine, as Donald Trump meets with freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander and talks to Vladimir Putin.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

US

At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

Published

1 day ago

July 4, 2025

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

13 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after heavy rain caused flash flooding, according to local media reports.

Officials have also said more than 20 are missing from a girls’ camp in Texas.

As much as 10 inches (25 centimetres) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.

A flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to seven inches (17 centimetres) of rising water.

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