Man dead following waterfall climb
A 50-75-foot fall from Moore Cove Falls in the Pisgah National Forest left a man dead Wednesday, Aug. 23. According to witnesses, Kim Quang Le, 24, of Virginia, was attempting to climb up the side of the falls and across the top when he fell. He had been visiting the area with four friends.
Transylvania County EMS and Transylvania County Rescue Squad responded to the scene, but Le’s injuries were fatal, and no resuscitation efforts were attempted. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office is currently assisting the U.S. Forest Service with an investigation into the incident. The fall appears to be accidental.
Moore Cove Falls is located on a trail about 0.7 miles from U.S. 276 between Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock.
Waterfalls are frequently deadly when people attempt to climb them. National forest visitors should enjoy waterfalls from a distance and refrain from climbing on or around them.
