A TEEN has plummeted to his death in a tragic cliff collapse after he tried to snap the perfect pic with his pals.
Photographer Jonathan Fielding, 19, accidentally lost his footing while hiking at a known spot in Utah, said police.
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His death prompted the teen’s grieving sister to urge other nature lovers to “not make the same mistakes he did.”
“No view is worth the suffering your family and friends will go through.
“No view is worth the risk that rescuers face when trying to save people and recover bodies,” said Rebecca Fielding on Facebook.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office told reporters that Jonathan’s death on Saturday was accidental.
He had only moved to Orem in Utah from Blue Springs in Missouri about a year ago and had been working for Grit Marketing, according to local CBS affiliate KUTV.
The teen had been hiking with friends near the remote rocky spot of Moonscape Overlook – so-called because of its eerie resemblance to the Moon’s surface – late afternoon when tragedy struck, said the broadcaster.
Sheriffs said Jonathan had paused to take pics with two of his friends but he lost his footing and plunged hundreds of feet to his death, reported local NBC affiliate KSL-TV.
“He was there exploring with his roommates, taking photos and just taking in the adventure,” Russ Mayo, the teenager’s uncle, told the station.
“He was documenting and did get too close and the shell broke away; he was trying to make his way back and he just lost balance and fell.
“It’s a tragedy for his family and those that he loved.”
“He’s got a huge smile, his personality was overwhelming in positivity,” Mayo added.
Jonathan had been visiting the site – located between Caineville and Hanksville – at about 4 pm on January 27, according to multiple reports.
‘SO HAPPY’
After moving to Utah from Missouri, he had “found an enormous group of friends and a group of support,” family friend Connor Parry told KUTV.
“He was a special kid, and it’s important to keep that energy and that smile he brought to every conversation,” he added.
His horrific death was announced by Parry on online fundraising site GoFundMe – with more than $26,000 donated towards Fielding’s funeral service.
“We are sad to announce that Jonathan Fielding has passed away,” Parry wrote on the site.
“He and his friends were hiking in Utah on Saturday, January 27th where he suffered a fatal accident. Jonathan is loved by many and was a great example of selfless love.
“I am a family friend of the Fieldings. All funds will be given directly to Michael and Tammy Fielding within the next week.”
The teenager’s grieving sister also paid tribute to her beloved sibling.
“Jonathan thought he was invincible. He was so young, so happy, so full of life,” Rebecca posted on Facebook following his death.
“Nothing scared him.
“This kind of thing was never supposed to happen to him.
“It doesn’t feel right being in a world without him and I’d give anything to trade places with him.”
‘TRAGIC ACCIDENT’
Then, in a further heartbreaking update mid-week, Rebecca revealed on Facebook that her family had initially “hoped he was alive, before rescuers could reach his body” after first being notified about her brother’s fall.
“It was Moon Overlook, near Torrey, Utah… I drove all the way from Missouri to go to the spot.
“While I was there I was able to call and talk to one of the guys who was with him, and see exactly what happened to get closure,” she wrote.
“It was a tragic accident, but Jonathan should be a cautionary tale to anyone who hikes or does photography.
“Never trust the ground on the edge of a cliff.”
“The rocks may look solid; the ground might seem like it will hold, but it’s still an eroding ticking time bomb,” she added.
“All it takes is one wrong step to dislodge rocks – one moment of unbalance, a trip over a rock, and you can plummet to your death.
“No view is worth your life.
“No view is worth the suffering that your family and friends will go through.
“No view is worth the risk that rescuers face when trying to save people and recover bodies.
“There was no reason for my brother to die. Please don’t make the same mistakes he did.”
TRIBUTES
Dozens of memories are among the touching tributes to Fielding, which have been shared on Utah Valley Mortuary’s online obituary.
“Jonathan was one of the most caring guys I ever met,” one pal wrote on the site.
“He impacted lives by just checking in with others,” added a teacher.
“Jonathan was a well-loved friend in the classroom. Jonathan always showed up with a smile on his face and had a passion for taking photographs for us,” wrote another teacher.
His funeral is being held on Saturday.
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