A man has died after falling off the edge of a waterfall.
Emergency services recovered the body of a 25-year-old man from Providence, Rhode Island, who fell and got submerged into the water at West Creek Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday, July 2.
Authorities managed to recover his body on Monday evening, shedding light on the dangers lurking within the park's eastern region.
His cause of death is yet to be established by a coroner.
Authorities stressed the heightened risk associated with mountain rivers, streams, and waterfalls during this period of the year. The chilling temperatures and swift currents make these waterways deceptively treacherous.
Visitors to the park are urged to maintain a safe distance from the banks of streams, rivers, and waterfalls, as the depth and speed of the water can be perilously deceptive. Additionally, caution is advised while traversing rocks and vegetation near water sources, as these surfaces are often exceedingly slippery.
The mighty currents have the potential to swiftly pull individuals underwater, underscoring the importance of exercising extreme care and vigilance. It is also crucial to provide constant supervision for children who are naturally drawn to water, ensuring their safety at all times.
The incident comes after a dad plunged to his death 200 feet down a cliff in front of his children while on a family hike. Gerardo Hernandez-Rodriguez, a resident of Beaverton, Oregon, fell from a cliff near Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office reported that alcohol impairment likely played a role in the accident. The incident occurred in the presence of his five children on July 1.
Following the report, authorities initiated a search operation involving sheriff's deputies and a US Forest Service ranger. A drone was also employed to navigate the challenging terrain.
Hernandez-Rodriguez's body was eventually discovered at the base of a cliff near a highway, below the trail where the fall took place. Initially estimated to have fallen 100-150 feet, further investigation revealed that he had fallen nearly 200 feet.
Previously in Texas, a stepfather died in a car accident while trying to rescue his 14-year-old stepson who fell ill while hiking. Park Rangers and US Border Patrol Agents received a distress call regarding the young man's health, but despite their efforts, they were unable to save him.
Following this, a search was initiated for the stepfather, and he was found dead at the scene of a car crash near the Boquillas Overlook in Big Bend National Park. The family, who were from Florida, had been visiting the park at the time.
