A University of Georgia student, 18-year-old Yutong Zhang, also known as Faye Zhang, tragically died in a rock climbing accident in northeastern Alabama. The incident occurred at Cherokee Rock Village, and the cause of the 90-foot fall is under investigation by Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald.
Zhang, originally from Minnesota, was a first-year student at UGA. The university expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending sympathies to Zhang's family and providing counseling support to the affected community.
Emergency responders were alerted to the incident just after noon on Saturday, and the recovery process was described as lengthy and challenging. Cherokee County, known for its rocky terrain, is a popular destination for rock climbing.
The climbing community, including the Active Climbing gym in Athens, mourned Zhang's loss, acknowledging her vibrant, passionate, and kind presence in their lives.
