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Man, 20, Dies at State Park After Falling From 177-Foot Waterfall While Posing for Photos, Police Say

Witnesses tried to save the 20-year-old after he slipped from a closed-off area at South Falls, but he died at the scene.

  • On Monday, Oregon State Police identified 20-year-old Zachary Nicholas Mertens of Burlington, Kentucky, as the victim who died after falling from South Falls at Silver Falls State Park.
  • An investigation revealed Mertens crossed into a closed-off area at the top of the 177-foot waterfall to pose for photographs when he slipped and fell into the water below.
  • Witnesses at the park attempted life-saving measures, but Mertens died at the scene; Marion County Search and Rescue later recovered his body from the base of the falls.
  • The Marion County Medical Examiner released the deceased to Unger Funeral Chapel, and officials confirmed the investigation into the fatality is complete.
  • Recent injuries and deaths at Oregon waterfalls including Abiqua Falls, Toketee Falls, and Blue Pool underscore persistent risks for visitors in the region.
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41 Articles

Washington TimesWashington Times
Lean Right

Kentucky man dies after falling 177 feet off Oregon waterfall

A man visiting Silver Falls State Park close to Portland, Oregon, fell 177 feet to his death off a waterfall while trying to pose for a photo.

·Washington, United States
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KurierKurier
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20-Year-Old Tourist Crashes 54 Meters From Waterfall to Death

A 20-year-old fell to the ground in a US National Park while posing for a photo 54 meters from a waterfall. He died on site.

·Vienna, Austria
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WLWTWLWT
Center

Northern Kentucky 20-year-old dies after falling from waterfall in Oregon

A 20-year-old from Northern Kentucky died this week after investigators said he fell from the top of a waterfall in Oregon.

·Cincinnati, United States
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La OpinionLa Opinion
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Tourist Dies Falling From a Waterfall in Oregon After Entering a Closed Area to Take Pictures - La Opinión

Zachary Mertens, 20, originally from Kentucky, fell from the top of South Falls, in Silver Falls State Park

·Los Angeles, United States
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NZ HeraldNZ Herald
Center

Oregon: 20-year-old dies in waterfall plunge taking photos in restricted area

A 20-year-old man has died after falling from a waterfall while attempting to take photographs in a restricted area at a popular Oregon beauty spot. Zachary...

·Auckland, New Zealand
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Times of IndiaTimes of India
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20-year-old tourist dies in US after falling from 170-feet waterfall while posing for photos

US News: A 20-year-old tourist tragically fell to his death from a 170-foot waterfall in Oregon while taking photos in a restricted area, highlighting the dangers of unsafe behavior near natural attractions.

·India
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KATU broke the news in Portland, United States on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
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