A 41-year-old father hiking with his family at Oregon’s Multnomah Falls plummeted 200 feet to his death as his five children and wife watched in horror.
Gerardo Hernandez-Rodriguez was walking along the Columbia River Highway when he tragically lost his footing and slipped down an embankment on Saturday around 2pm, on a busy trail near Multnomah Falls, about 30-miles east of downtown Portland, officials said.
Witnesses said that they spotted the man walking along the trail beyond the Benson Bridge, about a half-mile from Oregon’s tallest waterfall – that stands a towering 620-foot high – but then lost sight of him.
His frantic wife called 911, though not all of his family were together in the same area at the time of their father’s deadly fall and were not sure how he had fallen and where he had landed.
Sheriff deputies along with the US Forest Service rangers were assisted by local agencies.
Hernandez-Rodriguez’ body was found 45-minutes after the incident directly below where he had fallen.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities said that alcohol was likely a contributing factor in the fatal fall.
Sheriff deputies along with the US Forest Service rangers searched the base of the cliff on the south side of the historic Columbia River Highway.
Officers from the Gresham Police Department assisted using a drone while firefighters from nearby Corbett prepared to rappel.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson John Plock said, in part: ‘Mom, Dad, five kids were all here enjoying a beautiful day. And unfortunately, a tragic accident happened.’
The family asked not to be contacted by the media and is requesting privacy, as per a news release. Corbett Fire chief Rick Wunsch told KATU-TV.
‘The first big holiday weekend…that’s not the way we want to start our season.’
Chris Liedle, communications director with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department told DailyMail that the fall occurred in the lower section and weather conditions that day were dry and sunny.
Angel Salvador organized a GoFundMe to help raise funds for Hernadez-Rodriguez’s funeral and share the devastating news.
He added: ‘This will go directly to his family for the funeral and expenses. Anything would be greatly appreciated. Gerardo’s family thanks you all for the love and support.’
As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly $4,800 was raised towards their goal of $20,000.
A public safety message was issued the day the news of Hernandez-Rodriguez’s death.
‘We encourage all who come to hike and explore the Columbia River Gorge to be prepared. Before leaving home, learn more about the hiking trail or destination, consider footwear and pack the ten essentials.
‘On the trail, be aware of your surroundings, watch where you step and keep children in reach.’
Liedle said more than two million people visit Multnomah Falls each year, and said it’s one of the most visited destinations in Oregon.
Though he could not give an exact number, he estimates that about half of all visitors hike the trail to the top of the falls, which is about a mile in length and 650 feet in elevation gain.
‘It’s a pretty solid climb. The trail is broken pavement and gravel in the lower sections, with gravel, dirt and protruding rocks in the upper sections,’ he said.
