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Teen hiker killed in fall

PICKENS — A Greenville County teen was killed Sunday afternoon when he slipped and fell down a waterfall at Table Rock State Park, officials said.

Pickens County coroner Kandy Kelley said Jonathan Michael McKenzie, 16, of Simpsonville, was hiking at Mill Creek Falls when he slipped on rocks at the top of the falls and fell more than 50 feet.

Kelley said McKenzie was transported to teh Greenville Health System for autopsy, although Pickens County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Creed Hashe said the incident appears to be an accident. Hashe said the sheriff’s office is still investigating pending the final results of the autopsy.

According to Hashe, a 16-year-old female companion told police McKenzie was trying to refill water bottles when he lost his footing and fell from the waterfall, which is about three miles from the trailhead in the park.

Authorities received a call about the fall at around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, and McKenzie was pronounced dead after emergency crews found him and transported him back down the mountain on foot, Hashe said.