Mich. Deputies Help Rescue 2 Swept Over 40-Foot Waterfall

Gogebic County sheriff's deputies and a search-and-rescue team helped save two people who were swept over a 40-foot waterfall after one slipped into a river and another attempted a rescue.

By Tanda Gmiter

Source mlive.com

Aug. 25, 2026

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Two people were swept over a 40-foot waterfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula after one person slipped while trying to cross a river and a second person entered the water to help.
Witnesses alerted authorities after hearing people yelling in the Black River Trail area, and Gogebic County sheriff's deputies and the agency's Search and Rescue Team responded.
Rescuers hoisted both individuals to safety, and they suffered only minor injuries despite going over the falls.

The Gogebic County Search & Rescue Team saves two people swept over Rainbow Falls — Gogebic County search and rescue crews were called after witnesses heard cries for help near Rainbow Falls, where two people had been swept over the waterfall and stranded below.

GOGEBIC COUNTY, MI—Two people had to be hoisted to safety after one person slipped into a U.P. river and the other person tried to rescue them, a move that sent both tumbling over a waterfall.

Around 1:38 p.m. Monday, Gogebic County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Black River Trail area near Rainbow Falls. Initial reports were that two people had been swept over the falls. Sheriff’s officials talked to people near the scene who said they could hear people yelling near the waterfall area.

Deputies later learned one person had been trying to cross the river when they slipped and fell into the water. The other person tried to help, but both were carried by the current and went over the falls. Rainbow Falls has an estimated 40-foot drop.

The Gogebic County Search and Rescue Team responded and hoisted the two people to safety.

The people had only minor injuries, deputies said.

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