A 17-year-old died after jumping from a cliff at Bellevue Quarry in Tennessee on July 12, an incident authorities have described as an avoidable accident.
Evan Marsch lost consciousness and drowned following the plunge, according to reports. Police and the Nashville Fire Department were dispatched to the scene around 5:55 p.m. after receiving a call about the incident. Witnesses stated that Marsch jumped from the cliff with three friends. After surfacing, his friends noticed he was unresponsive and attempted to bring him to shore, but his body sank. The Nashville Fire Department recovered his body around 7 p.m.
The quarry is private property managed by SCUBA Nashville, a training facility. In a statement, the company expressed condolences but warned against diving on the property, noting the presence of "No Trespassing" signs. "Jumping off cliffs is very dangerous," the company said. "Sadly, this was an avoidable accident."
Marsch, who was preparing to enter his senior year at Spring Hill High School, was remembered in his obituary as a talented, bright, and caring individual with a passion for music, particularly the guitar.
Spring Hill High School issued a statement expressing sympathy for Marsch's family and friends, acknowledging the significant impact his death would have on the school community.
A GoFundMe campaign was established by a friend's mother to assist Marsch's family with funeral expenses, as his body remained at the medical examiner's office pending payment. The campaign, which raised nearly $17,500, aims to support aspiring musicians in Marsch's name, according to an update on the fundraising page. He is survived by his parents, siblings, and a nephew.