The tragedy occurred at the Fossil Creek Lower Waterfalls in Arizona on Sunday, March 22
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A 25-year-old man, identified by authorities as Wei-Jie Lin, from Taiwan, has died after swimming underneath Fossil Creek Lower Waterfalls in Arizona on Sunday, March 22
- “According to witnesses, the male jumped from the waterfall into the water below,” the Gila County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) confirmed in a Facebook post
- The post stated, “After resurfacing, he gave a thumbs up and continued swimming. A short time later, he swam underneath the waterfall and became submerged,” adding that the victim remained underwater for around 10 minutes before being pulled out by bystanders
A 25-year-old man has died after swimming underneath a waterfall at a popular tourist destination in Arizona, authorities have said.
On Sunday, March 22 at approximately 11:48 a.m. local time, Gila County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) deputies responded to reports of a drowning at the Fossil Creek Lower Waterfalls, located approximately 24 miles southeast of Camp Verde, per a release shared on Facebook.
The sheriff's office responded to the scene alongside the Tonto Rim Search and Rescue Team (TRSAR) and the Pine-Strawberry Fire Department (PSFD), the post stated.
“Upon arrival, responders located a 25-year-old male deceased,” the release said, identifying the victim as 25-year-old Wei-Jie Lin, from Taiwan.
Credit: Tonia Graves / Alamy Stock Photo
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“According to witnesses, the male jumped from the waterfall into the water below,” the GCSO statement read.
“After resurfacing, he gave a thumbs up and continued swimming. A short time later, he swam underneath the waterfall and became submerged," it added.
The post continued, “Witnesses reported he remained underwater for more than 10 minutes. Bystanders were able to pull him from the water and immediately start CPR; however, he never regained consciousness.”
The man had jumped around 15 feet into the water below, per The Independent.
After thanking authorities who helped amid the tragedy, as well as the citizens who assisted, the GCSO post concluded, “Sheriff Shepherd also would like to send his condolences to the family and friends of Wei-Jie Lin.”
Fossil Creek Lower Waterfalls are located within the Coconino National Forest, and gush 20,000 gallons a minute from a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600-foot canyon, The Independent reported, citing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA Forest Service has warned visitors that “swimming and cliff diving near the waterfall is extremely dangerous, and has led to several drowning deaths and severe injuries,” per the website.
“Fossil Creek offers miles of gorgeous water features and secluded, crystal clear swimming holes,” the site states.
PEOPLE has contacted the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the Pine-Strawberry Fire Department for additional information, but did not immediately receive a response.
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