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Man swept over falls killed at Ohiopyle in Fayette County
A 20-year-old man from Washington, Pa., died Tuesday after being swept over the falls at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County.
Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly identified the victim as George Willhoft, of 705 1/2 Broad St. Rear. Reilly said a preliminary investigation indicates Willhoft drowned "after being caught in the undertow and churning water of the falls."
Ohiopyle Park Manager John Hallas said Willhoft was with a party of four people who were in the Youghiogheny River above the falls just after 2:30 p.m. The accident occurred a short time later near the main overlook of the falls.
Hallas said members of the group were about 200 meters above the falls and floated down to a buoy line to pull themselves out of the water. While three of the people were closer to shore, Hallas said the victim was "center channel and flushed over the falls."
Reilly said all four people managed to grab the line but that Willhoft for some reason did not hold on long enough to reach shore.
Hallas said a kayaker retrieved Willhoft, and emergency medical personnel administered CPR. He was taken to Uniontown Hospital, where he died at 3:45 p.m.
The Youghiogheny River's 20-foot waterfall is what draws many of the estimated one million visitors to the park annually.
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