3-year-old dies when current sweeps her over 411-foot waterfall, NC deputies say

Updated April 12, 2022 6:23 PM

A 3-year-old was killed Sunday, April 10, after being swept over the top of Whitewater Falls in North Carolina, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

The child was identified as Nevaeh Jade Newswanger of Denver, Pennsylvania, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Jackson County Emergency Management received a 911 call around 5:50 p.m. from someone reporting a little girl "had been swept away in the water at the top of the falls" and carried over the edge by the current.

Rescuers from five counties responded to the site, which is located in a remote area just north of the South Carolina state line. The waterfall plunges "an amazing 411 feet" and the surrounding area is "difficult (to) access and rugged terrain," the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.

"Just prior to night fall on Sunday rescuers located the child deceased and entrapped in an area of the waterfall," the sheriff's office said.

"Recovery operations throughout the night and early morning led to the child being recovered from the waterfall around 1 am on Monday, April 11."

The girl was hiking near the waterfall with her parents, who are living temporarily in Oconee County, South Carolina, while working on a construction project.

A campaign set up for funeral expenses reports Nevaeh "slipped and fell in the water" while playing in sand above the falls.

"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 GoFundMe campaign reports. "Her name is heaven spelled backwards. She was truly a piece of heaven to all who knew her."

Jackson County Sheriff's Office officials noted the deadly accident underscores "the dangers associated with visits to scenic areas such as Whitewater Falls."

"First and foremost our prayers are with the Newswanger Family as they grieve the loss of this precious young child," the sheriff's office 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. Always remain at a distance, follow safety precautions and warnings which are in place, and view waterfalls from designated viewing areas."

This story was originally published April 11, 2022 10:59 AM.

Mark Price has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1991, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.