Texas teen, Baylor University freshman Grant Herridge dies after falling off Sol Duc Falls waterfall in Olympic National Park
Share this @internewscast.com

During a celebratory trip with friends, a Texas teenager tragically fell from a 50-foot waterfall to his death in Washington state’s Olympic National Park, marking a somber end to their high school graduation festivities.

Grant Herridge, a student from Vanguard College Preparatory in Waco, Texas, ventured with his friends to the Olympic National Park, located in the northwest part of Washington, just a week after their high school graduation ceremony.

On June 8, at Sol Duc Falls, the teenager lost his footing on the rocks at the top of a waterfall, resulting in a fall into the water below, according to a report from the National Park Service.

Witnesses said Herridge resurfaced at the bottom of the waterfall, only to submerge underwater again.

Herridge’s father, Brad Herridge – a pastor at the Ocker Brethern Church – confirmed his son’s death in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

“Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, and had a tragic accident,” the grieving father wrote. “He was always so full of life and we are going to honor him by living life to the fullest in the future. Please continue to pray for us as we struggle to live life without him.”

Park rangers and search and rescue crews rushed to the falls in the expansive wilderness in the park, but didn’t discover his body until the next day.

Herridge, a rising freshman at Baylor University in Waco, was found completely submerged and pinned under the water between the two falls.

Herridge was remembered as an adventurous outdoorsman, living by the motto inscribed on a ring he wore, “while we wait for life, life passes,” Brad Herridge told KWTX.

Officials have faced dangerous conditions recovering Herridge’s body because of the high river flow in the approximately eight-foot canyon.

Rangers and rescue teams attempted to recover Herridge on two separate attempts but faced increased water speeds near the recovery site because of the warmer temperatures and rapid snowmelt.

“The park’s priority is to safely complete this recovery as soon as conditions allow. Rangers will continue to monitor the target area, natural hazards, and changing conditions. Recovery operations will resume when it is safe to do so,” officials said in an update Tuesday.

Herridge’s dream of attending Baylor was inspired by his parents, who are alumni of the private Christian university.

“He had wanted to go to Baylor his whole life” Brad Herridge told the outlet. “His mom and I graduated from Baylor, his mom works for Baylor… so Baylor’s like in his heart.”

Baylor honored Herridge before hosting a service at its visitors center on Wednesday.

“Our hearts are shattered for the Herridge family in the tragic passing of their son Grant, who was an incoming freshman and shining light in Baylor’s Class of 2029. It is difficult to express the depth of our sorrow for Mary, Brad and Lucy, but our Baylor Family has come together to surround them in our deepest prayers and support as they navigate this unimaginable loss,” the university said in a statement obtained by KWTX.

The “Grant Herridge Memorial Scholarship at Baylor University” was created after the tragic accident.

“Grant’s life on Earth ended much too soon, but through your generosity, his life will continue to impact generations,” the scholarship’s poster stated.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
A man in a military uniform stands with a flag.

I’m the Leader of a Tiny Desert Empire in America: We’ve Declared War on Germany and Host Celebrity Guests

IN the sun-scorched high desert of Northern Nevada lies a tiny self-declared…
Diogo Jota's wife Rute Cardoso helps carry coffin at funeral

Rute Cardoso Assists in Carrying Coffin at Funeral of Diogo Jota’s Loved One

The widow of the late Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota was visibly distraught…
JSO: Young couple dead after apparent murder-suicide on Jacksonville's Northside

Tragic Incident on Jacksonville’s Northside: Young Couple Found Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide

JSO Sergeant Highfill mentioned that both individuals were approximately 19-20 years old…
MSNBC Trivializes the Holocaust to Score Political Points on Trump and 'Alligator Alcatraz'

MSNBC Minimizes the Holocaust to Politicize Trump and ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The article, “Don’t call it ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ Call it a concentration camp,”…

Multiple Cities Experience Shootings and Fireworks Accident on July Fourth Holiday

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — This year’s Fourth of July holiday saw numerous…
Houston-born Heart O' the Hills camp director dies in Kerr County floods

Director of Heart O’ the Hills Camp, a Native Houstonian, Passes Away in Kerr County Flooding

“We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives…
Heartbroken family of late soccer player Diogo Jota arrives at funeral in Portugal

Grieving Family of Deceased Soccer Star Diogo Jota Attends His Funeral in Portugal

Liverpool’s squad gathered in the quaint Portuguese town of Gondomar on Saturday…
JSO: Woman shot, killed during party on Rover Drive hour after Fourth of July

JSO: Woman Fatally Shot at Rover Drive Party Just After Fourth of July Celebrations

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said five people were detained following the deadly…
Julian McMahon's 'Charmed' co-stars remembers the late actor: 'One of a kind'

Julian McMahon’s Former ‘Charmed’ Cast Members Pay Tribute: ‘Truly Unique’

The women of “Charmed” are remembering their late co-star. Julian McMahon, who…
Delicious: NPR Quietly Forced to Report Major Restaurant Chain Is Ending Egg Surcharge for Customers

Tasty Tidbit: NPR Subtly Reveals Major Restaurant Chain’s Decision to Remove Egg Surcharge

Since President Trump assumed office, the price of eggs has significantly decreased,…
Donald Trump speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

Trump Lashes Out: Putin Wants to Continue Killing in Ukraine, Claims He’s ‘Very Unhappy’ After Hour-Long Call with Vladimir

Donald Trump sounded a grim alarm over Putin’s intentions to “continue the…
Hakeem Jeffries Reemerges, Doubles Down on Democrats' Big Lie About OBBB and the American Dream

Hakeem Jeffries Resurfaces, Reinforces Democrats’ False Narrative on OBBB and the American Dream

The Democrats tell dishonest statements so often, it’s hard sometimes to rank…