Firefighters: Man dies after fall at popular waterfall

BLOWING ROCK — Police are investigating a deadly accident at a popular waterfall in Blowing Rock. It happened at Glen Burney Falls.

Officials said 54-year old Alberto Diaz from Florida was walking on the trail with his wife when he lost his footing Tuesday afternoon at the falls.

Thousands of people visit the falls here every year in Blowing Rock.

They can be dangerous and firefighters said it isn't the first time they've responded to a fall there.

Fire trucks were at the head of the trail leading down to the Glen Burney Falls on Tuesday afternoon.

One eyewitness said a man who was hiking with his wife fell with his dog between 20 and 30 feet.

Firefighters confirmed the man, who they say is in his 50s, died from the fall.

There are warning signs on the trail leading to the waterfalls.

Channel 9 spoke with a couple who tried to call for help when they heard about the accident.

"We tried to get service we couldn't get service. Some EMT people showed up and all we could do was just pray,” hiker David Pearson said.

“It is aggressive. Really rough. There are certain parts of it that if you go on the overlook you have to be careful,” Caroline Pearson said.

Eyewitnesses and firefighters said the dog, which also fell, was injured but did survive.

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