The Sol Duc Falls area of Olympic National Park was closed for an entire week following the fatal accident of 18-year-old Grant Herridge, who slipped and fell over the nearly 50-foot waterfall. Herridge had crossed the upper river when he lost his footing, briefly resurfaced, and then disappeared beneath the water.
Park officials located Herridge’s body submerged between the first and second falls late on June 9, over 24 hours after the incident. As of June 16, recovery efforts remain unsuccessful due to dangerous river conditions. “Rangers faced high river flows in the 7-8-foot wide canyon caused by recent warm temperatures and rapid snowmelt,” said park spokesperson Molly Pittman. “Our priority is to safely complete the recovery as soon as conditions allow.”
Herridge, a recent graduate of Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco, Texas, was preparing to attend Baylor University this fall. His high school community mourned his loss, sharing heartfelt tributes on social media, praising his kindness, joy, and faith. Baylor University has since established a memorial scholarship fund in his honor.
This tragic incident is not isolated; Sol Duc Falls has seen several accidents in recent years, including a 2019 case where a teenager was stranded on a rock below the falls and a 2016 rescue of a hiker who slipped on the rocks.
Authorities noted multiple factors contributing to the accident, such as unusually high river flows from snowmelt, the canyon’s narrow and forceful currents, and slippery algae-covered rocks. Following the fall, swiftwater and rope rescue teams, supported by thermal imaging and ground searches, immediately began recovery operations. Emergency responders from multiple local agencies assisted at the scene.
The park remains closed until it is deemed safe to resume recovery efforts. This story is developing and has been updated as new information becomes available.
