A man is stuck behind a waterfall for two days – level 2
21-08-2025 07:00
Rescuers helped a man named Ryan Wardwell, 46, who was trapped behind a waterfall in California for two days.
Ryan was rappelling down the Seven Teacups falls on August 10th when strong water pushed him off his rope and into a cave behind the cascade. When he didn’t return to his car, police started a search with aircraft, drones, and infrared cameras.
Rescuers found him the next day, and a helicopter pulled him out. Wardwell was alive but weak, cold, and very thirsty. He had only small injuries and reunited with his family. Police later shared video of the helicopter rescue, which many people watched online. Authorities called it a stunning survival story and warned visitors to be careful near strong rivers.
Difficult words: trapped (unable to get out or escape), rappel (to go down a rock or wall using a rope), cascade (a small waterfall).
You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.
Which search methods did officers use when Ryan Wardwell failed to return to his car?
LEARN 3000 WORDS with NEWS IN LEVELS
News in Levels is designed to teach you 3000 words in English. Please follow the instructions
below.
How to improve your English with News in Levels:
Test
- Do the test at Test Languages.
- Go to your level. Go to Level 1 if you know 1-1000 words. Go to Level 2 if you know 1000-2000 words. Go to Level 3 if you know 2000-3000 words.
Reading
- Read two news articles every day.
- Read the news articles from the day before and check if you remember all new words.
Listening
- Listen to the news from today and read the text at the same time.
- Listen to the news from today without reading the text.
Writing
- Answer the question under today’s news and write the answer in the comments.
Speaking
- Choose one person from our Conversation section.
- Talk with this person. You can answer questions from Speak in Levels.
Stock images by Depositphotos
