For second time in a week, hiker dies at one of NC’s waterfalls, officials say

For the second time in a week, someone has died visiting a waterfall in the North Carolina mountains, searchers say.

The latest incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at Big Bradley Falls near Saluda, according to Polk County officials. The waterfall is about a 95-mile drive west from Charlotte.

“Crews discovered that a (woman) had fallen an estimated 75 to 100 feet,” the county reported in a news release.

“Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Rescue personnel worked diligently to recover the victim.”

The identity of the woman, who was in her twenties, has not been released. Officials did not reveal how she fell.

Big Bradley Falls is about 75 feet high and “is located in a small gorge along Cove Creek,” Blue Ridge Mountain Life reports. Videos shared on social media show rappelling down the waterfall is popular with visitors.

“Big Bradley Falls is a gorgeous waterfall that is difficult to reach and somewhat dangerous to view,” the site says.

“The most popular trail to the base of the falls requires a hike down a steep trail, followed by a 20-foot rope descent down a cliff side. ... The falls are also viewable from a rock overlook, that also requires traveling down a steep trail.”

The incident happened a week after 25-year-old Yoseph Alabdulwahab drowned at the base of Steele Creek Falls in Pisgah National Forest, according to Burke County Emergency Services. Alabdulwahab was rappelling at the waterfall just before his death, officials said.

Steele Creek Falls is about a 75-mile drive northeast from Big Bradley Falls, maps show.

This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 7:44 AM with the headline "For second time in a week, hiker dies at one of NC’s waterfalls, officials say."