Three-year-old girl who died after being swept over North Carolina waterfall is pictured as family say ‘angels caught her’
The three-year-old girl who died after falling into the water at Whitewater Falls in Jackson County in North Carolina has been pictured for the first time following the tragedy.
Writing in a GoFundMe campaign for their daughter, Nevaeh Jade Newswanger, parents Kieth and Sherii Newsanger said they “desperately” tried to save their child on Sunday.
“Nevaeh was playing in the sand nearby and slipped and fell in the water,” the parents said in the post, which included a photo of the Denver, Pennsylvania, family together.
“We desperately tried to rescue her but the current was so strong and it swept her down the river and over the falls where the angels caught her,” the parents continued.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Nevaeh was visiting the falls with her family. She was taken away by the water and fell down the falls, according to WSPA.
Emergency crews from Jackson, Transylvania, Haywood, Henderson, and Oconee counties all came to the scene after reports came in at about 5.50pm.
Nevaeh’s body was found just before nightfall trapped in an area of the falls, Fox Carolina reported. Her body was recovered at about 1am on Monday.
The Sheriff’s office said her family is from Denver, Pennsylvania and that her family was living in Oconee County while they were working in the area.
Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall warned others of the dangers the falls may pose.
“First and foremost our prayers are with the Newswanger family as they grieve the loss of this precious young child,” he said. “With the onset of spring weather, we need to be reminded of the dangers associated with many scenic areas of the region such as waterfalls.”
“While beautiful to view from a safe distance, venturing out closer to the falls for any reason brings tremendous danger,” he added. “Always remain at a distance, follow safety precautions and warnings which are in place, and view waterfalls from designated viewing areas.”
More than $5,000 (£3,842) has been raised on the fundraiser, which was started by Rochelle Huber, a family friend.
