Yosemite Hikers Killed In Accidents

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) -- Officials say two hikers have died at Yosemite National Park, becoming the park's first accidental fatalities of 2011.

Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman says Kent Scott Butler died Friday after slipping on a rock slab while hiking the Mist Trail, a route made wet and slick by melting snow. Gediman says Butler fell into the Merced River, became lodged in rocks and likely drowned.

Butler, of Austin, was a professor and assistant dean of research at the University of Texas.

James Dunbar also died Friday after he tripped and fell while running down the steep Upper Yosemite Fall trail. Gediman says Dunbar, a Berkeley resident, sustained a head injury.

The park sees an average of 12-15 fatalities per year, ranging from slips and falls to drownings and deaths from natural causes.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)