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UNC Charlotte student dies after jump from Avery Co. waterfall

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
A University of North Carolina Charlotte student died after jumping into the water at a popular waterfall in Avery County this weekend.
The accident and aftermath were captured on cellphone video. Channel 9 will not show the video out of respect to the family.
Firefighters said there have been at least 10 deaths at the Elk River Falls over the last 30 years.
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty saw people jumping from the falls Monday less than 24 hours later.
Deputies said the 26-year-old woman was with family members when she decided to jump.
Erica Chan was visiting the falls when she took the video.
"We thought it was a little bit crazy because it's about a 50-foot drop from the top. And she jumps, and we thought she was going to resurface,” Chan said.
In the video several people could be seen swimming out to find the woman after she didn’t resurface.
Deputies said people keep stealing the warning signs that are posted on the trail leading to the falls or near the top.
So Dominick Romiti had no idea someone died there when he decided to jump from the exact same spot Monday.
"It was awesome, very fun, packed with adrenaline, very deceiving. That rock face really veers out, and you don't think you have to jump as far out as you really do," Romiti said.
Deputies said there has been talk about possibly putting a fence, but those visiting the falls Monday aren't sure a fence could stop people from jumping.  
"People are going to do stupid things. Kids think they are invincible and they are going to do it,” said visitor Mary Osteen.
Deputies said they don’t have a cause of death. They don’t know if she died from hitting some of the rocks or perhaps drowned after going into the water.

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