A 16-year-old boy from Brooklyn died after jumping off a waterfall in upstate New York’s Catskills region.
Confirming the incident, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said that the incident occurred on Tuesday, August 8, around 3:21 pm while the boy was swimming with friends.
According to reports, the teen and his friend leaped from the ledge at Fawn’s Leap, a popular swimming spot by the base of the Catskill Mountains. They landed in the waters on the south side of the falls but struggled to swim against the hydraulic currents created by the waterfall.
A bystander, who noticed the pair’s difficulties, tried to help. They managed to rescue one friend, but were unable to reach the other in time.
Divers from the New York State Police, the sheriff’s office, and Athens Fire Department later found the teenager’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The police have not released his identity yet.
This marked the third rescue operation at the location in slightly over two weeks, according to reports. Towards the end of July, rescue teams helped an injured person on the banks of Fawn’s Leap. Additionally, heavy rains prior to the incident led to the rescue of more than a dozen people from the nearby Rat’s Hole and the swimming hole at Kaaterskill Creek.
The Department of Environmental Conservation, responsible for overseeing the area, emphasized the importance of public safety. They urged visitors to plan and prepare responsibly for recreational activities during the summer season.
Fawn’s Leap, known for its 24-foot-high waterfalls, is a popular destination in the summer, especially for children. The area has gained popularity as a diving spot, with various videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok showcasing daredevil feats. However, a TikTok video of a man leaping over the falls, viewed a significant 6.6 million times, comes with a platform warning about the inherent dangers of such activities.
