Authorities are investigating the death of a Lakeland teenager who died after falling from a high ropes course at a camp on the South Carolina-North Carolina border, officials said Tuesday.
Pickens County Deputy Coroner Gary Duncan said Olivia Paige Grimes, 16, died at about 6 p.m. Monday after falling out of a zip line swing at Carolina Point Camp in Sunset.
Grimes’ parents are the Rev. Phil Grimes, a pastor at Oasis Community Church, and Robyn Grimes. A Twitter message from the church asks that the Grimes family not be contacted directly.
According to Pickens County deputies, the teen was part of a group participating in an event called the "Freebird" and was attached to a large pendulum swing along with two other participants. But Grimes became unhooked from the swing and fell more than 100 feet to the ground, deputies said. Her body has been sent to a hospital for an autopsy, according to the coroner's office, which also said the death was accidental.
Deputies said they are investigating the fall. No one else was injured, and authorities said the ride was supervised by two camp employees.
Camp officials told the sheriff's office the "Freebird" course is closed during an investigation and inspection of all its equipment.
The camp on Sassafras Mountain straddles the border between North and South Carolina and is run by Young Life, a Christian youth organization. Deputies said Sunset offers a weeklong program for teenagers, providing team-building exercises including ropes courses and rides through wooded areas.
In a statement posted online, camp officials said they don't yet know what happened and place the safety of campers and guests as a top priority.
"All of us at Carolina Point and across Young Life grieve with this young woman's family and friends," officials said. "We do not yet know how this occurred. At the moment our focus is on those grieving over this tragic accident."
Grimes was a student at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland. She would have been going into the 11th grade this upcoming school year.
Lauren Barbato is a teacher at the high school and also sponsors the school's Key Club. Grimes was a member.
"She was a very positive, fun girl to be around," said Barbato. "She always made people laugh and she was always trying to help others. She was also very involved in school and had wonderful grades."
Barbato said Key Club focuses on volunteerism and that Grimes really enjoyed taking part.
"We volunteer in the community," Barbarto said. "She did a lot of campus clean-ups, we did a pancake festival, we helped out children that have disabilities and people in need in our community."
The Oasis Community Church released the following statement:
"It’s with deepest sorrow and broken hearts that we let you know that Olivia Grimes, the 16-year-old daughter of Pastor Phil and Robyn and sister of Sabrina, passed away on Monday after an accident at a summer camp.
"Due to the overwhelming nature of the circumstances, we are asking that you refrain from contacting Phil and Robyn at this time. Please keep them and the entire Grimes family in your prayers. We are grateful for your love and support, which will continue to be needed in the weeks and months ahead. We will update you with arrangements once we have that information."
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.