Kathryn Hoedt, 23, an up-and-coming talent at KCRA News, died in a rope-swinging accident on August 12.
The New York University graduate died after falling 30 feet from the rope swing onto rocks along the shoreline at Folsom Lake, located about 24 miles outside of Sacramento.
KCRA noted that Hoedt was recently tapped to produce the station’s morning show. Derek Schnell, KCRA news director, said, “She had a vibrant personality, she lit up the newsroom with her enthusiasm and her laughter was contagious.”
Schnell added: “She was also proud to be a journalist and she was deeply committed to serving our community. Katie had a bright future ahead of her and she’ll be deeply missed.”
The New York Post noted local authorities have prohibited the use of rope swings at Folsom Lake, noting that a recent 15-foot drop in water level makes the activity particularly dangerous at this time.
KCRA reported that Barry Smith, chief ranger of the Gold Fields District of California State Parks, said, “You don’t know who put the rope swing up. You don’t know how strong that is. You don’t know the tree, the branch. Anything can give out and it’s extremely dangerous.”
An off-duty physician performed emergency CPR before medical teams arrived to transport Hoedt to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Kathryn’s mother told KCRA a few days after the accident: “I can’t believe it’s real, you know, she was such a bright light. Today, I tried to get some work done, and it was really, really hard because I knew Katie’s never going to be calling me again, and it’s going to be just something that I’m never going to get used to.”
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