Hiker dies after falling off trail at Multnomah Falls

MULTNOMAH FALLS, Ore. — Corbett Fire and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office have said a hiker has died at Multnomah Falls.

Corbett Fire tweeted “Corbett Fire and MCSO SARS have responded to Multnomah Falls to a report of someone falling off the trail. Unfortunately, the hiker has died from the injuries from the fall.”

Officials say the man fell between 100-150 feet.

"Other people, including his family, were not able to see where he fell or where he was after the fall," says Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer John Plock.

Deputies told KATU the man was a father of five.

"Mom, Dad," said Plock, "Five kids all here enjoying a beautiful day at Multnomah Falls, and unfortunately, a tragic accident happened. At one point on the trail, the father slipped and fell and fell down the side of an embankment. Unfortunately, once he slid down the embankment, he fell."

The path was briefly closed down while fire crews and deputies investigated.

Hikers were shocked to hear about the tragedy, "My gosh, it's horrible," said Sarina Khosravani, a hiker.

"There was a bunch of the sheriff's ambulance," said another hiker.

"They told us that they they're going to shut down the bridge," said Khosravani, "We couldn't go up there."

Many agencies and volunteers were there to help retrieve the man's body, including Corbett Fire.

"The first big holiday weekend," said Rick Wunsch, Fire Chief with Corbett Fire, "That's not the way we want to start our season."

And this isn't the first time hikers died or got injured at Multnomah Falls.

In August 2022, a woman fell to her death while hiking upstream of the falls.

"Really sad. I mean it’s such a beautiful place," said Nicole Sorrentino, a hiker at the time.

And back in November of 2021, a mother and her 2-year-old baby also fell while hiking at Multnomah Falls. "Seeing the baby like wet and injured, it was very sad," said Ericka Klein, a witness at the time."

Thankfully they both survived.

Hikers today said they can see why these accidents keep happening. "We notice it's really not safe. Like once you get past certain areas, they don't have the sidewalks anymore," said Khosravani.

We reached out to Multnomah Falls staff and the U.S. Forest Service about safety concerns.

They haven't responded yet but law enforcement and fire officials have some general advice on how to stay safe out on the trails.

"This is a very popular location," said Plock, "Nearly 2 million people visit Multnomah Falls every year, but it's not just a leisurely walk where you show up with your flip flops and you take a walk on a paved path. This is a hiking trail. You should be prepared for an actual hike with the proper footwear.

"Make sure your cell phones charge all the way out. You're taking plenty of water and supplies to be out for a while and take extra supplies just in case you do run into something," said Wunsch.