A 22-year-old man from Utah was seriously injured after jumping from the top of
Abiqua Falls
on May 18, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has said.
The man had reportedly seen videos online of others jumping from the same cliff and attempted the jump himself, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.
The trailhead to the waterfall is about 11 miles southeast of Scotts Mills. Instagram and YouTube are replete with videos of people jumping from the falls.
Authorities received two text-to-911 messages around 7:39 p.m. asking for help for an injured person who had jumped the 90 or so feet from the top of the falls, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post last week.
Rescuers got the man out using an ATV and took him to a LifeFlight helicopter, which took him to a trauma center.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Jeremy Schwab said the man was a “thrill-seeker” inspired by social media. Although he isn’t aware of other people who’ve been injured jumping off the falls, Schwab said the sheriff’s office does not condone the activity.
“It’s dangerous,” Schwab said. “We don’t want people to do it. But it’s one of those things — we can’t post somebody there.”
A March episode of the “Today” show
included a film clip of a kayaker taking the plunge
over the waterfall.
— Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at
fzarkhin@oregonian.com
.
Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to
OregonLive.com
Most Popular Stories by
Fedor Zarkhin
-
‘I’m a dead man’: Bodycam footage shows moments before Clark County deputy fatally stabbed DUI suspect
-
Avoid southbound Fremont Bridge, Portland police say
-
Former city councilor arrested following dustup with Oregon police chief over ‘racist’ comments
-
13-year-old killed by stray bullet in Gresham remembered as ‘a very good soul’
-
Corbett school board chair faces heat after testifying in case involving former district employee who sexuall
About The Author
More Stories
Utah man seriously injured in 90-foot jump at popular Oregon waterfall
Utah man seriously injured in 90-foot jump at popular Oregon waterfall
Utah man seriously injured in 90-foot jump at popular Oregon waterfall