Tragic news out of Olympic National Park where the body of an 18-year-old who fell over the 50 foot Sol Duc Falls is believed to have been discovered late on June 9th.
The 18-year-old fell over the falls on June 8th. A park ranger found the body completely submerged and pinned to between the first and second falls. The Sol Duc Falls area will be closed while the Olympic National Park Search and Rescue Team prepares to recover the individual.
Witnesses reported that the man was walking across the rocks at the top of the falls when he slipped and fell, resurfacing at the bottom before submerging into the water again. The park’s swiftwater and rope rescue teams immediately began their search and evaluated rescue options after the man disappeared.
Thermal imaging was used to search the water while a ground team searched the riverbanks upstream from the trailhead. Forks Ambulance, Forks Swiftwater, Olympic Ambulance, Clallam County Fire District 2, the Port Townsend and Sequim Police Departments, and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office all assisted in the search effort.
High temperatures and rapid snowmelt in the upper Sol Duc drainage have led to significantly high river flows, making a recovery more difficult. Additionally with target area sitting in a narrow canyon with high speed and force of water through the constriction point, a second waterfall, whirlpool, and additional hazards below the target area, and vertical, 50-foot cliffs covered in moss and algae on both sides of the target area, search and rescue teams are forced to take caution through the operation.
The team will begin the recovery as soon as the conditions allow for a safe and succesful mission. Our condolences are with the friends and family of the deceased at this time.