News staff writer

A 24-year-old Parkdale resident climbed over a safety fence at Ruthton Park on Sunday night and fell to his death.

Christopher Merrill, a 2002 graduate of Hood River Valley High School, died after falling 100 feet down a rocky cliff face, according to Hood River County Sheriff Joe Wampler. The accident at the Westcliff Drive park occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. on April 13th and was witnessed by three friends of the victim.

Wampler said it did not appear that alcohol or drugs played a role in the fatality. However, he said it is standard procedure to perform toxicology tests when an unexpected death occurs. He said the results of Merrill’s tests will be available in several weeks.

“It just appears that this was a very unfortunate accident,” said Wampler.

“These guys were hanging out to watch a sunset at the park when Mr. Merrill hopped over the fence and lost his balance in the dark.”

The sheriff was assisted at the scene by the Hood River City Police Department and West Side Fire District, which provided a spotlight that helped locate Merrill’s body. Wampler said the young adult male had landed on a shale embankment about 200 feet above the railroad tracks.

Three deputies and three firefighter/medics traveled with the sheriff down Morton Road to get below the site where Merrill had fallen. They spent the next hour making their way up the shifting shale slope to retrieve his body.

Involved in the operation were deputies Noel Princehouse, Ricardo Castaneda, Mark Smith and Mike Anderson. The West Side volunteers were John Beeman, Tom Sieverkropp and Blain Nesbitt.

“This was a true tragedy and it was difficult for all of us,” said Wampler. “The fence is there for a reason and this is it.”

Services for Merrill are planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Parkdale Community Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center in Hood River.