18-year-old dies after slipping, falling over 50-foot waterfall while on graduation trip with friend

WACO, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) – An 18-year-old died after he slipped and fell over a 50-foot waterfall while on a graduation trip with his friend.

Family and friends of Grant Herridge are in mourning after he tragically died June 8 in the accident at Olympic National Park in Washington state.

The National Park service confirmed the death.

Brad Herridge, Grant’s father, says Grant had wanted to go on this trip for years. He left with a friend just a few days after graduating high school to visit seven national parks across the U.S.

He says growing up, his son loved the outdoors and was always looking for his next adventure.

“He loved doing exciting, fun things,” Herridge said. “He has a ring that he’s been wearing for several years, and the reason he got the ring was because of the saying that was inscribed in the ring that says, ‘While we wait for life, life passes.’”

Grant’s family said those are words he lived by. But no one could have anticipated how his trip would end, and now their world is forever clouded by tragedy.

“We’ve just been so beside ourselves with grief,” his dad said.

News of Grant’s tragic death shook their whole community.

In a statement from Vanguard College Preparatory, where Grant went to school, they shared:

“The loss of Grant Herridge is deeply felt by all of us. He was a bright light on our campus, full of kindness, humor, and warmth… the impact he made on our school and in our hearts will never be forgotten.”

Grant was set to go to Baylor University in the fall, following in his parents’ footsteps.

“He had wanted to go to Baylor his whole life,” Herridge said. “His mom and I graduated from Baylor, his mom works for Baylor … so Baylor’s like in his heart.”

In Grant’s honor, Baylor University has established the Grant Herridge Memorial Scholarship.

The university shared a statement, writing:

“Our hearts are shattered for the Herridge family in the tragic passing of their son Grant, who was an incoming freshman and shining light in Baylor’s Class of 2029. It is difficult to express the depth of our sorrow for Mary, Brad and Lucy, but our Baylor Family has come together to surround them in our deepest prayers and support as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

Grant’s father, who is a pastor, shared how grateful their family is for the overwhelming love and support from their community.

“I always preach that in times of tragedy is where you see the kingdom of God the most because there’s just so much love, and I always believed it, but this past week I felt it,” he said.

As he prepares to bury his son, Herridge says what he wants people to remember most about Grant is how he lived his life. “He lived life without anxiety, and he lived life to its fullest,” he said.

A visitation for Grant will be held this Wednesday at Baylor University’s Hurd Welcome Center and his memorial service will be this Friday in Waco.