Georgia teen dies after jumping into creek at Sand Mountain park

GROVE OAK, Ala. (AP) – A Georgia teenager has died after officials say he jumped off a rock into a creek at an Alabama park.

DeKalb County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Michael Edmonson tells local news outlets that 18-year-old Mason Tompkins of Acworth died Saturday afternoon at High Falls Park.

Edmonson says Tompkins had jumped off of one of the higher rocks at the park into the creek. He didn’t resurface.

Tompkins’ official cause of death is under investigation.

Tompkins graduated from Harrison High School in Acworth in 2017. He was expected to study political science and play football at Berry College.

Source: HarrisonHoyaFootball.com

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(WDEF) – High Falls Park is a remote, under-the-radar attraction on the lower end of Sand Mountain between Geraldine and Lake Guntersville.

It features a pedestrian bridge above the falls.

But the main activity there is the cliff jumping. Read more on that from The Outbound Collective.

“To reach the best spots to cliff jump from, walk past the waterfall where you’ll find a large cliff with a deep pool of water beneath. There is a large rope attached to the cliff, so you’ll want to jump off nearby so its easier to climb out.”

The state has a website promoting High Falls Park.

But they post this warning at the site.

“WARNING: Swimming and diving in such a rugged terrain is considerably dangerous; pursue these activities at your own risk. Visitors are advised to avoid the rough waters below the falls.”

We also found this video of cliff jumping at the park on YouTube.