Tourist, 20, plunges 177 feet to his death taking photo from Silver Falls State Park waterfall

Tourist, 20, plunges 177 feet to his death taking photo from Silver Falls State Park waterfall Zachary Nicholas Mertens died after he slipped and fell approximately 177 feet from the top of South Falls waterfall, the Oregon State Police said in a press release A 20-year-old tourist who fell to his death while trying to take a photograph at a waterfall has been named by police. Zachary Nicholas Mertens of Burlington, Ky., died after he slipped and fell from the top of South Falls waterfall at around 6:30pm local time on Monday, August 10. He “accessed a closed area to pose for photographs” before he fell approximately 177 feet, the Oregon State Police said in a press release. Another visitor to the park visitor tried to revive Zachary with CPR before emergency crews arrived, The Statesman Journal reports. However, despite best efforts Zachary sadly died at the scene. Silver Falls State Park is Oregon’s largest state park, covering more than 9,000 acres near Silverton. Known as the crown jewel of the state park system, it features the famous Trail of Ten Falls, dense old-growth forest, and historic structures. The famous South Falls is a 177-foot waterfall which is part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. The 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. An Ohio Police spokesperson said: "On Monday, August 10, 2026, at approximately 6:36 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers and Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Silver Falls State Park following a report that someone had fallen from the top of the South Falls. "Troopers determined the individual, Zachary Nicholas Mertens (20) of Burlington, KY, accessed a closed area to pose for photographs at the top of the waterfall. Mertens slipped and fell into the water approximately 177 feet below. "The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team oversaw recovery efforts. OSP was assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Search and Rescue, and park rangers from the Silver Falls State Park." The Mirror has contacted Silver Falls State Park for comment.