Georgia News Anchor Dies Falling Over Waterfall

MACON, GA — A Georgia news anchor fell to her death after being swept over a waterfall while vacationing in North Carolina.

Taylor Terrell, 24, was a morning news anchor for 41NBC in Macon.

Terrell was wading in a stream that flows over Rainbow Falls in Transylvania County when she lost her footing and was swept over the falls by the current, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Her fall was about 185 feet, rangers say.

A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Terrell had worked at 41NBC since she was an intern, rising in just a couple of years to become anchor of the station's morning show.

"Taylor was a hard worker with a bright smile," the station said in a written statement. "She rose through the ranks from intern to reporter, to weekend anchor, to morning anchor and was eager to prepare for her next chapter. This is a devastating loss for us here at 41NBC and most definitely for her family."

Terrell had been scheduled to be off of work Friday to celebrate her 25th birthday.

"Instead, we’re remembering her spirit, her optimism, and her work," the station said in its statement.

Terrell's was the first of two falling fatalities at North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest in the past few days.

On Saturday, the Forest Service reported, a local man jumped off the top of Elk River Falls on the Appalachian Ranger District. His body was recovered from a deep pool at the base of the waterfall on Monday.

The forest service warned visitors to use caution around waterfalls, saying the best way to enjoy them is from afar.

"Even if you have seen other people enjoy playing around waterfalls, be aware that they have been lucky to escape unharmed," the statement said. "Waterfalls are constantly changing with varying water flows and erosion of the rocks around them. The current from one place to the next may be faster than you anticipate and the arrangement of rocks or other debris such as logs in the plunge pool is ever changing.

"Waterfalls are exciting and rivers are a great place to cool off on a hot day, but both pose risks to unprepared visitors."

Image via 41NBC Macon