Kentucky tourist, 20, dies after ignoring warning signs to pose for photo by edge of 177 foot Oregon waterfall, cops say

By JIMMY MCCLOSKEY, HEAD OF NEWS Published: 12:53, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 12:55, 12 August 2026 A 20-year-old tourist fell to his death from an Oregon waterfall after walking into a closed off area to pose for photos. Zachary Mertens, of Burlington in Kentucky, fell 177 feet from the top of South Falls at Silver Falls State Park in Marion County late Monday night. Oregon State Police said Mertens had 'crossed into a closed off area to pose for photographs at the top of the waterfall when (he) slipped and fell into the water below.' Park officials tried to rescue Mertens, but he died before they could do so.  A search and rescue team was dispatched to recover his body from the base of the falls. Mertens was a talented basketball player who played club basketball for Moss Elite, after a successful stint on the Bellevue High School basketball team in Bellevue, Kentucky. Zachary Nicolas Mertens died after falling 177 feet from the top of a famous Oregon waterfall late Monday night  Mertens is said to have walked into a forbidden area to pose by the edge of South Falls (pictured) in Silver Falls State Park Photos shared to his and his mother's social media profiles showed him on the court, as well as posing for photos with trophies that he won.   Mertens is survived by his parents Jason and Alicia Mertens, as well as his older brother RJ Mertens, 24.  Silver Falls State Park sits around 50 miles south of Portland and 20 miles east of Oregon's state capital Salem. South Falls is regarded as the 'jewel' of the park. A walking trail lets visitors go directly behind the falls itself.  The park has a campground, RV spots and cabins meaning visitors can stay there overnight. It is unclear if Mertens was staying in the park at the time of his death.  Oregon State Police have yet to release further details on the tragedy and an investigation is ongoing.