Tragic Accident: Texas Man Plummets To Death In Alaskan Waterfall

Texas is not known for large, cascading waterfalls, and our opportunities for river rafting are somewhat limited.

It's not surprising that an adventurous soul would travel thousands of miles to experience the thrill of the water in Alaska. Sadly, that adventure ended tragically for one Texas man.

Larry Keith Erwin, 53, of Rockwall, Texas passed away after losing control of his inflatable raft and plummeting down an Alaskan waterfall.

An investigation revealed that Erwin was ejected from his boat and into the water after he fell over the waterfall.

The river was in a remote location, and Erwin "did not have any signs of life" as he was pulled out of the water. It appears there was no saving him after his accident.

We've seen this scenario in movies and TV shows so often that it's almost hard to believe it can happen in real life.

According to an obituary about Erwin, he worked for many years for Texas-based Dr. Pepper and volunteered his time as a Scout Master. He was a dedicated father, husband, and family member.

Alaska offers many outdoor recreation activities at many skill levels- from a laid-back cruise to an intense rafting experience. Of course, any activity carries some risk and even a skilled participant can have a lethal mishap, but water sports carry the biggest risk. 

Drowning is the number one cause of death in U.S. national parks. Swimmers, boaters, kayakers, and rafters account for more accidental deaths than even vehicular accidents in these areas.

This shouldn't keep you from enjoying the great outdoors, however, it is a good reminder to know your limits, have a buddy system, and always be properly prepared for any outdoor activity.