Man, 20, tragically dies at popular cliff-jumping spot
A promising 20-year-old military cadet has fallen to his death at a popular diving spot known as Fawns Leap in the New York Catskill Mountains.
Benjamin Bochtler died on Saturday morning (local time) at the popular diving spot where daredevils hike to record themselves jumping off the 79 metre drop in search of social media fame.
New York State police said in a statement that Mr Bochtler fell after hanging off a rock ledge that snapped off, sending the cadet plunging into the water below.
Life saving measures at the scene were unsuccessful.
The swimming hole is part of Kaaterskill Creek and is famous for clear water and steep cliffs.
In recent times Fawns Leap has grown in popularity with around 100,000 people visiting the spot annually and most are unaware of the dangers.
"Just talking to people who come up here, they say: ‘Yeah, we saw this on the internet, we’re trying to find it’,” State forest ranger Rob Dawson told the New York Times.
Local publication, The Gothamist, reported that eight people have died in the area since 1992.
State forest ranger Rob Dawson said that four of those deaths resulted from people attempting to pose or take photos.
“The unfortunate thing is, with those pictures, there’s nothing informing people that you could get seriously hurt here, too," Mr Dawson added.
Nebraska native, Mr Bochtler, had been training in the US Military Academy Preparatory School in New York for three years, including a deployment in Afghanistan and was well liked by his fellow cadets.
“You were always smiling and joking and I know you wouldn’t want us to weigh too heavy on this,” friend and fellow cadet, Dylan Reese Padgett posted on Facebook.
“His warm personality and that big smile made a lasting impact on everyone,” Colonel Joshua Higgins told the Army Times.
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