A man has died after falling 200ft from a cliff in Oregan, police have said.
A 41-year-old man was hiking at the popular waterfall in Multnomah Falls, when he stumbled and fell to his death on Saturday 1 July.
The body of the hiker, who has been identified as Gerardo Hernandez-Rodriguez was found at the base after emergency services responded to reports of his fall.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement a witness had seen Mr Rodriguez hiking around 1.30pm on the trail beyond the Benson Bridge near the first switch when he then “stumbled and fell down an embankment.”
The witness told police they then lost sight of Mr Rodriguez.
Police said after the incident was reported, they joined a US Forest Service ranger in the area to search for Mr Rodriguez.
Due to the “inaccessible, steep terrain”, responders called for a drone to be used by the Gresham Police Department during the search “while Corbett firefighters prepared to rappel from the trail,” police said.
During the rescue mission, a police officer began searching the base of the cliff on the south side of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
The officer then located Mr Rodriguez’s body off the road, “directly below where the fall occurred.”
Police confirmed in the statement that Mr Rodriguez did not survive the fall.
Officials said it is estimated Mr Hernandez fell nearly 200ft and that “alcohol impairment was likely a contributing factor in the fall.”
The police have now released a public safety message to make sure people are “prepared” when going on the hike.
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It added: “We encourage all who come to hike and explore the Columbia River Gorge to be prepared.
“Before leaving home, learn more about the hiking trail or destination, consider footwear and pack the ten essentials. On the trail, be aware of your surroundings, watch where you step and keep children in reach.”
The essentials for hiking, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, include navigation aids, a headlamp, first aid equipment and a gear repair kit, as well as extra food and water.
