GA Hiker Dies After Falling Into River At State Park

TALLULAH FALLS, GA — A 19-year-old Gainesville hiker who recently fell into a river above Oceana Falls in Tallulah Gorge State Park died, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said Monday.

The DNR said game wardens were notified around 12:45 p.m. Friday of the fall into the river.

The hiker, who the DNR identified as Exauce T. Kabeya, went into the water and did not resurface, the DNR said.

A multi-agency operation ensued with the use of drone and rescue teams, and a few hours later, Kabeya's body was found and recovered from the water, the DNR said.

In Rabun County, Oceana Falls is 40 feet high and is one of five waterfalls along the Tallulah River between Tallulah Falls Lake and Lake Tugalo, according to the Georgia Waterfalls Database.