Texas Teen Dies After 50-Foot Fall at Olympic National Park While Celebrating High School Graduation

Grant Herridge was killed when he fell off a 50-foot waterfall at Olympic National Park on June 8, 2025

A Texas teenager tragically died after plunging from a 50-foot waterfall during a post-graduation trip to Olympic National Park in Washington state.

Grant Herridge, a recent graduate of Vanguard College Preparatory in Waco, Texas, was visiting the park with friends on June 8 to celebrate his high school graduation. While hiking near the scenic Sol Duc Falls, Herridge reportedly slipped while walking on rocks at the top of the falls and fell into the pool of water below.

The Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park in Washington state

According to the National Park Service, witnesses saw the teen briefly resurface at the base of the waterfall before he disappeared underwater again.

Park rangers and search-and-rescue teams responded to the remote location, but due to dangerous water conditions and high river flow caused by snowmelt, Herridge’s body was not recovered until the following day. He was found fully submerged and pinned underwater between the two falls.

Herridge’s father, Brad Herridge – a pastor at the Ocker Brethern Church – confirmed his son’s death in a heartbreaking Facebook post

The teen’s father, Brad Herridge, a pastor at Ocker Brethren Church, confirmed the devastating loss in a public statement. “Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, and had a tragic accident,” he wrote. “He was always so full of life, and we are going to honor him by living life to the fullest in the future. Please continue to pray for us as we struggle to live life without him.”

Grant Herridge was set to begin his freshman year at Baylor University, the same institution his parents attended. His dream of attending Baylor had deep roots in his family, and his mother currently works at the university.

“He had wanted to go to Baylor his whole life,” his father said. “His mom and I graduated from Baylor… so Baylor’s like in his heart.”

Herridge’s dream of attending Baylor was inspired by his parents, who are alumni of the private Christian university

Baylor University issued a heartfelt statement mourning the loss: “Our hearts are shattered for the Herridge family in the tragic passing of their son Grant, who was an incoming freshman and shining light in Baylor’s Class of 2029. It is difficult to express the depth of our sorrow for Mary, Brad, and Lucy, but our Baylor Family has come together to surround them in our deepest prayers and support as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

In memory of the teen, the university established the Grant Herridge Memorial Scholarship at Baylor University.

“Grant’s life on Earth ended much too soon, but through your generosity, his life will continue to impact generations,” the scholarship fund’s statement read.

Efforts to recover Herridge’s body were delayed multiple times due to treacherous conditions in the narrow canyon where he fell. Warmer temperatures had increased snowmelt, rapidly raising water levels and speeds.

Park officials emphasized safety as the top priority during the recovery mission. “The park’s priority is to safely complete this recovery as soon as conditions allow. Rangers will continue to monitor the target area, natural hazards, and changing conditions. Recovery operations will resume when it is safe to do so,” the National Park Service said.

Herridge was remembered by loved ones as an adventurous outdoorsman who lived by the motto engraved on a ring he wore: “While we wait for life, life passes.”