Tragic Death at Arizona Waterfall After 15-Foot Jump
A 25-year-old man from Taiwan has died after jumping from a popular waterfall in Arizona and being pulled under by the powerful waters below. The incident occurred at the Fossil Creek Lower Waterfalls, located within the Coconino National Forest near Sedona.
Emergency Response and Witness Accounts
Search and rescue teams responded to a report of a drowning at noon on Sunday, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office. Witnesses told authorities that the man, identified as Wei-Jie Lin, jumped approximately 15 feet before resurfacing at the bottom of the waterfall.
He reportedly gave a thumbs-up signal and continued to swim, but soon swam underneath the waterfall and became submerged. The man remained underwater for more than 10 minutes before bystanders were able to pull him out. Despite immediate CPR efforts, he did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead.
Location Details and Safety Warnings
The Fossil Creek Waterfalls are situated within the Coconino National Forest just outside Camp Verde, a town renowned for its outdoor recreation along the Verde River. Fossil Creek is one of only two designated "wild and scenic" rivers in Arizona, gushing an impressive 20,000 gallons per minute from springs at the base of a 1,600-foot canyon.
The waterfall is accessible via the Dixon Lewis Trail, a one-mile path that follows the creek to a natural waterfall where crowds often spend the day swimming. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued stern warnings about the dangers of this location.
The USDA explicitly states that swimming and cliff diving near the waterfall is extremely hazardous and has led to multiple drowning deaths and severe injuries in the past. This tragic event underscores the critical importance of heeding such safety advisories in natural environments.
