A talented 23-year-old TV news producer lost her life at Folsom Lake in California.
On August 12, Kathryn Hoedt met with a fatal accident after falling from a rope swing. The fall covered a distance of 30 feet, landing her onto a rugged shoreline.
Hoedt, an alumnus of San Jose State University and New York University, had recently started her career at KCRA 3 in Sacramento, producing the morning show. Derek Schnell, the news director, described her as an energetic individual whose dedication to journalism was commendable.
Immediate aid was provided by friends and an off-duty physician at the scene. However, despite swift actions, Hoedt succumbed to her injuries at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
Mike Howard, superintendent for the Folsom sector, emphasized the park’s policy of removing rope swings. He noted that declining water levels since May, about 15 feet, elevated the associated risks. California State Parks’ chief ranger, Barry Smith, further cautioned about the unpredictable nature of these swings.