A South Falls death at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon has left park officials calling the incident a “horrific accident” after a 20-year-old hiker fell from the edge of the towering waterfall Monday. The man, who was visiting from out of state, went off trail near the upper viewpoint before plunging into the pool below at the park, which sits more than an hour south of Portland.
Authorities said the visitor crossed a barrier and moved over a creek directly above the falls while trying to reach a spot for a photo. The fall happened around 6:30 p.m. at South Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Bystanders tried to help and performed CPR as emergency responders rushed in, but the man died at the scene. Officials did not release his identity.
Silver Falls State Park regional manager Chris Gilliand said the scene was devastating. “It was a pretty horrific accident,” he said, adding, “A very tough situation.” The Marion County Medical Examiner later released the man’s body to Marion County Search and Rescue, and crews completed the recovery from the base of the falls before Unger Funeral Chapel took custody.
The South Falls death unfolded at one of Oregon’s best-known outdoor destinations. Silver Falls State Park is famous for its Trail of Ten Falls, a popular route that draws hikers from across Oregon and beyond. South Falls is one of the park’s signature sights, and visitors can walk behind the waterfall on a trail that makes the area a major stop for tourists and day hikers alike.
