3 days ago
Pastor's Son Identified as Teen, 18, Who Fell Over 50-Foot Waterfall During High School Graduation Trip
An 18-year-old man who died after falling over a 50-foot waterfall in Washington state has been identified by his family
Grant Herridge, from Waco, Texas, had just graduated from high school and was on a long-awaited trip with a friend
"Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, and had a tragic accident," wrote his dad, Pastor Brad HerridgeA Texas pastor is sharing his heartbreak after his 18-year-old son fell over a 50-foot waterfall in Washington state during a long-awaited trip to celebrate his high school graduation.
On Friday, June 13, Pastor Brad Herridge revealed that his son, Grant, was the young man who died while hiking in Olympic National Park earlier this month.
'Thank you for all of your prayers and support,' wrote the pastor of Ocker Brethren Church in Temple, Texas in a statement on Facebook. 'Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, and had a tragic accident.'
He continued, '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.'
Five days earlier, on Sunday, June 8, witnesses saw the 18 year old slip while walking across the rocks at the top of Sol Duc Falls in the park, the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement in which Grant is not named.
Grant was said to have resurfaced at the bottom of the falls before becoming submerged again, according to park officials.
The next day, a park ranger 'located a completely submerged body pinned between the first and second falls.' In an update, NPS said that initial recovery efforts were 'unsuccessful' because of 'high river flows' and that emergency responders would resume their search when it was safe to do so. It is not clear when Grant's body was recovered from the park.
The NPS, Clallam County Sheriff's Office and Herridge family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.
In an interview with CBS affiliate KWTX, the family said that Grant had just graduated from high school and was in the midst of a trip with a friend. Their plan was to visit seven national parks across the country. It was an expedition that Grant had planned for years, his dad told the outlet.
'He loved doing exciting, fun things,' said Brad, according to the outlet. 'He has a ring that he's been wearing for several years and the reason he got the ring was because of the saying that was inscribed in the ring that says 'while we wait for life, life passes.''
After Grant's tragic fall, the family is left reeling. 'We've just been so beside ourselves with grief,' his dad told KWTX.
Grant's former classmates and teachers at Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco are also grappling with the news.
'We love you, Grant,' the school shared in a statement on Facebook. 'You were a bright light and a true lighthouse in the Viking community, guiding others with kindness, joy, fun, and unwavering faith and inclusivity.'
The school continued, 'Whether in the classroom, on the golf course, or in the halls, your light drew people in and made them feel seen, valued, and welcome. The students, faculty, staff, and coaches are all better because of you.'
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The young man was set to attend Baylor University in the fall — just like his mom and dad.
'He had wanted to go to Baylor his whole life,' Brad told KWTX. 'His mom and I graduated from Baylor, his mom works for Baylor … so Baylor's like in his heart.'
The university has now created a scholarship in his honor, according to a donation page shared on social media. (The college did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.)
Now, the community in Waco is taking strength and finding inspiration from the recent graduate's own words.
"Approach life with a smile and it will smile back,' Grant wrote in his senior essay, according to his school. 'A hug goes a long way. Love not because you should, but because you can."
Read the original article on People
