Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports today, June 16, 2025, at 11:09 a.m., Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 911 call requesting help for a 17-year-old female who had fallen and was not breathing while hiking on the Soda Creek Falls Trail behind Cascadia State Park east of Sweet Home.
Deputies learned from the investigation that the victim was from Texas and had been hiking with her father, who lives in the local area, on various trails during her visit. They had just started up the trail when the victim jumped up or climbed a tree to hang from a branch approximately six inches in diameter. The branch broke, causing her to fall onto another log with the branch falling on top of her. She eventually lost consciousness so her father tried to drag her out to where he could get her help. Bystanders assisted with CPR until Sweet Home Fire Department arrived and took over. Medics eventually pronounced her dead at the scene.
Linn County deputies were assisted by Sweet Home Fire Department and the Linn County Parks staff.
Sheriff Duncan and her staff offer their sincere condolences and thoughts to the family during this difficult time.