A family outing to Multnomah Falls in Oregon ended in tragedy when a father of five died following a devastating fall from a trail.
The incident occurred on Saturday, July 1, when the Beaverton resident slipped and plummeted 150 feet from a switchback on the trail, according to Deputy John Plock of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. The family was enjoying a pleasant day at the falls when the accident took place.
Swift responses came from the Corbett Fire District and search and rescue personnel from the sheriff’s office upon receiving the distress call. Despite their best efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries, as disclosed in a Twitter post by the firefighters. The rescuers faced difficulties locating the victim, spending nearly an hour to pinpoint his exact location. Neither the man’s family or other onlookers were able to witness the fall or identify his location following the incident.
Multnomah Falls, nestled in the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge about 30 miles east of Portland, attracted a large crowd on that Saturday. Authorities underscored the importance of hikers being adequately prepared and exercising caution while navigating the unpaved hiking trail.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office extended their condolences and is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.