MARION COUNTY, Ore. — A 20-year-old Kentucky man fell approximately 177 feet from the top of South Falls at Silver Falls State Park Monday evening after entering a closed area to take photographs, according to Oregon State Police.
Troopers and Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the park at approximately 6:36 p.m. Aug. 10 following a report that someone had fallen from the top of the waterfall.
Investigators determined that Zachary Nicholas Mertens, 20, of Burlington, Kentucky, had accessed a closed area at the top of South Falls to pose for photographs. Mertens reportedly slipped and fell into the water approximately 177 feet below.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team oversaw recovery efforts.
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Search and Rescue and Silver Falls State Park rangers.
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