8 Year Old Drowns At Big Pine

The body of an 8-year-old Gardena boy was recovered Tuesday 
evening shortly after he had fallen in Big Pine Creek near 
the Sage Flat campground and had drowned.

The boy, Gary Thomas Hopson, had been camping at the 
campgrounds with his mother, Arlene Hopson, his brother, 
David, and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Simard.  He and his 
brother had wandered down to the creek from the camp when 
he slipped on a grassy spot and fell into the water.

It was reported that the brother ran for help but by the 
time they returned the 8-year-old had disappeared 
downstream.

A search party was quickly organized and included campers 
in the area, members of the Big Pine Fire Dept., sheriff’s 
office personnel, and member of the Sierra Madre rescue 
team which had just returned after recovering he body of a 
32-year-old Torrance man in the Palisade Glacier area.

The boy’s body was finally located by Deputy Sheriff Fred 
Coburn about a quarter mile above Bud Hinds resort at 
approximately 7 o’clock.  It was about a mile down from 
the camp.

It was reported the youngster had suffered a skull 
fracture, apparently when he fell into the water.

The body was taken to the Talmage Funeral Chapel at Bishop 
and will be sent to Southern California where services are 
pending.

The Inyo Register, Bishop, Inyo County, California
Thursday, July 18, 1963 – Page one

Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn