AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (WFMY) -- The father of a young man who recently died at Elk River Falls is speaking out about the need for more safety precautions at the attraction.
The Avery County Sheriff's Office say 26-year-old Thomas McCardle Jr. accidently slipped off a rock and into the water.
He then got caught in a strong current due to previous heavy rain. The sheriff's office says a nearby group of young people, several students from Appalachian State and other parts of the state, tried to save him, but the current was too strong.
Now his father wants action at the site where his son died. Officials with the Avery County Sheriff's Office say at least eight people have died at the attraction over the past 12 years.
McCardle says certain areas should be blocked off. "I mean I know it's a site for people to go to. All these people have lost their lives. What's it gonna take for people to fix this problem?" says McCardle.
While McCardle is grieving, he's thankful for the group of young folks who tried to rescue his son, even meeting up with them for a picture.
"I'll cherish that for the rest of my life. I mean they tried to help my son, you know. I mean at least someone tried,"says McCardle.
A go-fund-me page was set up for the family to help pay for funeral arrangements.