Dawsonville man dies in rappelling accident

FRANKLIN, N.C. - A Dawson County man has died in a rappelling accident at a cliff near Cullasaja Falls in western North Carolina.


Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe said 19-year-old Gregory Cooper of Dawsonville apparently fell unimpeded about 150 feet to the base of the cliff, which is located at the edge of the Cullasaja River near the top of the falls.


The incident occurred shortly before a call was placed to Macon County 911 at 4:15 p.m. Sunday. The cause of Cooper's fall is still under investigation.


Cabe said a second person was slightly injured but didn't require a trip to the hospital.