Salto El Agua Waterfall in Placilla, Chile

Salto Grande Falls are one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, making a visit to Torres del Paine National Park one of the highlights of any visit to Chilean Patagonia. Reaching Salto Grande either by car or joining one of several tours taking visitors there by 4-wheel-drive vehicle will include not only trekking to them but also visiting other attractions within the park like Torres del Paine Base Camp and Lago Nordenskjold; plus you may spot wild guanacos (an animal similar to llama!) along your journey! The Salto Grande hike itself should not prove difficult – plus you might spot wild guanacos (an animal that resembles llama!) along the way!

Luke Gabriel Bird, 21, from New Braunfels, Texas was hiking near Salto El Agua waterfall in Placilla when he lost his footing and plunged over. According to authorities in Chile, authorities located his body the next morning in a lagoon nearby the waterfall, the academy reported.

The academy stated that the student had traveled to Chile as part of a study abroad program at Arturo Prat Naval Academy – Chile’s naval academy – for one semester as part of an exchange program and is providing assistance in this investigation.

The academy indicates the student was a second-class midshipman, or junior class.