Who was Kathryn Hoedt? Promising journalist, 23, dies in rope-swinging accident at Folsom Lake
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the journalism community mourning, Kathryn Hoedt, a 23-year-old journalist hailing from Sacramento, California, lost her life in a tragic rope-swinging accident at Folsom Lake on August 12.
The accident has drawn attention to the dangers of unregulated rope swings and prompted calls for increased safety measures at the popular recreational site.
Who was Kathryn Hoedt?
Hoedt, known affectionately as Katie, was a shining star among her colleagues and friends. Described as a "bright light" by her mother Beth, her passion for journalism and vibrant personality lit up the newsroom at KCRA, which she joined in October 2022.
Her journey was marked by academic excellence, having earned her undergraduate degree at San Jose State and subsequently graduating with a master's degree from New York University at the astonishing age of just 21.
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The ill-fated accident occurred as witnesses recounted that Hoedt fell approximately 30ft from a rope swing onto the rocky shoreline of Folsom Lake.
Friends who were present at the scene quickly rushed to her aid, carrying her to a nearby boat ramp where park officials were stationed. Despite their efforts, an off-duty doctor's attempts at CPR proved futile, and she was rushed to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where her death was tragically confirmed.
Kathryn Hoedt remembered by loved ones
Grief and shock have reverberated through Hoedt's family, friends, and colleagues. Beth expressed her disbelief and struggled to come to terms with the loss.
"Today, I tried to get some work done, and it was really, really hard because I knew Katie’s never going to be calling me again, and it’s going to be just something that I’m never going to get used to," Beth told KCRA 3.
Hoedt's remarkable journey from Sacramento to New York and back to her roots at KCRA showcased her dedication to journalism and her community.
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Derek Schnell, KCRA 3 News Director, praised her enthusiasm and commitment, highlighting that her laughter was truly contagious. Her colleagues echoed these sentiments, describing her as one of the nicest people they had ever worked with.
Hoedt's father, Andy, expressed his profound sorrow at the untimely loss of his daughter's potential. "She’s just made such a massive impact and only at 23. I just wish she could have been here for another 60, 70 years. I can’t imagine what she could have done," Andy said.
Hoedt's elder sister, Lexi, remembered her as her best friend and someone she could always rely on. “That’s just probably the worst part, because even though I was the older sister, [for] some things she was my older sister,” Lexi said.
She added, “She was just this beautiful person, and she is gone too soon.”
Dangers of rope swings
The incident has drawn attention to the inherent dangers of unregulated rope swings. Mike Howard, superintendent for the agency’s Folsom sector, asserted that rope swings were prohibited at the lake site due to their potential risks.
Howard noted, "They really just shouldn’t be trusted."
Barry Smith, chief ranger of the Gold Fields District of California State Parks, supported this stance, highlighting the unpredictability of rope swings and their attachment points.
“You don’t know who put the rope swing up. You don’t know how strong that is. You don’t know the tree, the branch. Anything can give out and it’s extremely dangerous," he told KCRA 3.
Folsom Lake's water levels, which have been known to fluctuate, added a layer of risk to the situation. The lake had fallen significantly since May, exposing more shoreline and increasing the potential distance of a fall from a rope swing.
This element of danger could have contributed to the tragic accident, per the Sacramento Bee.
In the wake of this heartbreaking incident, Hoedt's family is calling for increased safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. They are advocating for clear signage warning against rope swings around the lake and near popular swing locations.
“Had Katie seen information like that or signs or been educated, she would have never gotten on that rope swing,” Beth told KCRA 3.
“Either cutting them down or even better yet, cutting the branch off and getting rid of the branch at all, so you can’t fashion anything there. We don’t want this to happen to anyone else, ever, and that’s important to us," Andy added.