A 20-year-old Kentucky man died Monday, Aug. 10, after climbing over a safety barrier at the top of South Falls in Silver Falls State Park to pose for a photo, then slipping and falling 177 feet into the pool below.

Zachary Nicholas Mertens, of Burlington, Kentucky, crossed the barrier at South Falls' upper viewpoint and walked over the creek directly above the waterfall before he lost his footing, according to Oregon State Police, as reported by KOIN. Emergency crews responded around 6:30 p.m.

A park visitor attempted CPR, and medical personnel arrived shortly after, the Statesman Journal reported. Mertens died at the scene.

The Marion County Medical Examiner released Mertens' body to Marion County Search and Rescue, which recovered him from the base of the falls.

"It was a pretty horrific accident," said Chris Gilliand, former Silver Falls State Park manager and current regional manager for Oregon State Parks. "A very tough situation."

The death is the second fatal incident near a Marion County waterfall in less than a week. On Thursday, Aug. 6, the Marion County Sheriff's Office dive team recovered the body of a 20-year-old man from Butte Creek near Scotts Mills Falls after a drowning at Scotts Mills County Park.

South Falls is the signature attraction at Silver Falls State Park, Oregon's largest state park at more than 9,000 acres, located about 20 miles southeast of Salem. The park draws well over one million visitors each year. In the past five years, a teenager was injured attempting to dive off South Falls, and other incidents at the park have resulted in death, according to the Statesman Journal.

Oregon State Parks urges visitors to stay on designated trails and respect all barriers and closures. Areas beyond barriers can include steep drop-offs and slick terrain.

The Oregon State Police investigation remains ongoing. As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, no park closures or additional safety measures have been announced. Silver Falls State Park's main office can be reached at (503) 873-8681, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.