A 23-year-old woman in California has died after plunging to her death. Katie Hoedt was swinging on a banned rope swing at Folsom Lake when she fell to the rocks below.
Barry Smith, chief ranger of the Gold Fields District of California State Parks explained that using rope swings in the area can be "very dangerous."
He added, "You don't know who put the rope swing up. You don't know how strong that is. … Anything can give out."
Katie was visiting the area with friends, who took her to a nearby boat ramp after she fell.
An off-duty doctor gave her CPR, but Katie was pronounced dead at the hospital she was taken to shortly thereafter.
Katie was an employee at an NBC affiliate in the area.
Co-worker Brittany Hope wrote on Facebook: "I will miss her giggle in the newsroom, and sweet voice in our ears during newscasts and live shots. …She never had a 'bad day' – and even if she did, she wouldn't let you know about it. Instead, she always brought brightness and positivity to everyone around her. Nothing can dim her shine."
