NC medical examiner: Franklin firefighter drowned at Nantahala National Forest waterfall

Ryan Oehrli, Asheville Citizen Times
·4 min read
Firefighter Joseph Orr "lost his life in a tragic accident (July 23) while enjoying the great outdoors that he loved," according to the Clarks Chapel Fire-Recue.
Firefighter Joseph Orr "lost his life in a tragic accident (July 23) while enjoying the great outdoors that he loved," according to the Clarks Chapel Fire-Recue.

A North Carolina medical examiner’s report confirms that a young Macon County firefighter was the person who drowned July 23 at a waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest.

According to the report obtained by the Citizen Times, Joseph Paul Orr, 25, drowned at Secret Falls in Horse Cove community of Macon County in the forest, apparently after his foot got caught in rocks under the water.

A friend of Orr’s told the medical examiner that Orr decided he wanted to swim that day. They arrived at Secret Falls, about 30 minutes from Highlands, at about 5 p.m. The friend, who could not swim and was wearing boots and jeans, did not enter the water but was nearby.

Past reportingUS Forest Service confirms deaths in Nantahala National Forest, 1 at waterfall, 1 in river

Orr “took off his boots and shirt and dove into the water just below the falls,” the report says. “His friend stated he saw (Orr’s) hands reach above the water for a very short time ‘where all the rough water was at’ and then he went back under and did not see him resurface. He went to the edge of the water and could not see any trace of him.”

The friend and some others attempted to pull Orr out of the water but were not successful at first, the report says. It described Orr as being 6 feet tall and weighing about 240 pounds. After some struggling to get him out, the friend and another male attempted CPR for several minutes until they "declared the efforts were futile,” and Orr died.

The report notes the other male who pulled Orr from the water was a certified lifeguard and an emergency room nurse. There were deep abrasions on Orr’s ankle and foot, consistent with “a foot entrapment in moving water,” according to the report.

The U.S. Forest Service is listed on the medical examiner's report as the responding agency. When asked by the Citizen Times in July, agency spokesperson Cathy Dowd said she did not know the name of the victim and referred a reporter to the Macon County Sheriff's Office, which did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

More:Man drowns while swimming at Elk River Falls in Pisgah National Forest, sheriff says

More:3-year-old dies after being swept over Whitewater Falls

More:Madison County Sheriff's Office finds body of missing Asheville man in Pisgah National Forest

Orr was born in Macon County, his obituary says.

“Joseph was an employee at the Georgia Road Ingles and a dedicated volunteer firefighter,” it says. “He was a member of Rukkus Athletics. He enjoyed hiking, history and reading. He was a talented woodworker and artist.”

The fire department he worked with, Clarks-Chapel Fire Rescue, paid tribute at his funeral service.

“It is with great sadness that we report the passing of one of our members,” the fire department said in a Facebook post one day after the accident.

“Firefighter Joseph Orr lost his life in a tragic accident yesterday while enjoying the great outdoors that he loved. Joseph was relatively new to the fire service but the dedication and passion he showed to community service far surpassed his time in the service. Joseph was eager to learn, and always there to help with any and all challenges. Joseph was a good friend and brother to all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We ask that you keep Joseph's family in your prayers through this difficult time.”

Related:Untold fallout from waterfall accidents: broken backs, paralysis, lifelong pain

Waterfall safety tips

  • Heed posted warning signs indicating danger.

  • Stay on established trails.

  • Do not climb on rocks around waterfalls. Rocks can be slippery and it's easy to lose your balance, especially with bare feet.

  • Never play in the water above a waterfall.

  • Never jump off waterfalls or dive into plunge pools at the base of waterfalls. Rocks and logs can be hidden beneath the surface of the water. Often waterfall pools have swirling water or currents that can drag and keep even strong swimmers underwater.

  • The best way to enjoy a waterfall is from a safe distance.

Ryan Oehrli is the breaking news and social justice reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Send tips to coehrli@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Medical examiner: Franklin firefighter drowned at Secret Falls