Opus Dei mourns three members after Rattlesnake Falls tragedy
Reprinted with permission from National Catholic Register.
The hikers could just barely hear Val Creus’ cries of distress over the roar of Rattlesnake Falls.
Moments before, the 59-year-old had jumped off a ledge near the scenic cascade in the northern California wilderness for a refreshing plunge.
Now, somewhere in the frigid water 20 feet below them, he was in trouble.
Matt Schoenecker didn’t hesitate. An avid biker and climber who also was a skilled high-platform diver, the 50-year-old leader of the outdoor excursion raced to the same ledge and dove in after Creus. Then another member of the group, Matt Anthony, 44, did the same.