Woman Dies in Folsom Lake Rope Swing Accident
Kathryn Hoedt, known as “Katie,” tragically lost her life over the weekend in an accident at Folsom Lake.
The 23-year-old producer at KCRA News fell from a rope swing on Saturday around 12:30 p.m., plummeting 30 feet to the shoreline near Rattlesnake Bar. Prompt action by her friends led them to transport her to a nearby boat ramp where an off-duty doctor administered CPR.
Upon receiving the call for assistance, park rangers swiftly arrived on the scene. Despite their efforts, Hoedt was eventually transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where she was sadly declared deceased.
Hoedt had been an instrumental part of the morning newscast team at KCRA 3. She had earned her master’s degree from New York University at the young age of 21.
In response to this heartbreaking incident, Hoedt’s parents have advocated for enhanced water safety measures at Folsom Lake. Rope swings are strictly prohibited at the lake.
“You don’t know who put the rope swing up,” said chief ranger Barry Smith. “You don’t know how strong that is. You don’t know the tree, the branch. Anything can give out and it’s extremely dangerous.”
Katie Hoedt’s roots were in the Sacramento area, where she was known for her vibrant spirit. She completed her undergraduate studies at San Jose State University.
According to KCRA, her colleagues universally admired her as one of the kindest individuals to work with. The loss of such a young and promising talent has deeply affected the community and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of safety around water bodies.
