Tragedy unfolded at Yosemite National Park in recent days when a man took a fatal plunge over a 594-foot waterfall. While the incident occurred in California, it provides a harrowing example of how serious the risks of moving water are, which applies in Colorado, too.

According to a report from SFGATE, 22-year-old Josue Baires Alfaro died after going over Nevada Fall on June 20. He was visiting the park with his family at the time.

One of the most widespread accounts of the incident comes from 20-year-old Freesia Gaul, who was taking a photo of the waterfall and noticed Alfaro struggling while attempting to swim out of the strong current that led to the fall.

Gaul, who is a former volunteer lifeguard, ultimately entered the water in a desperate attempt to save Alfaro, but soon realized that even with her experience, she was unable to safely reach him. Soon fearing for her own safety, as well, a bystander was able to offer her a branch that allowed her to safely exit the strong flow.

Gaul and other witnesses were ultimately stuck watching the struggling Alfaro who had reached a point of no return. He was carried over the fall with search and rescue crews arriving about an hour after the incident. His body was later recovered from the water below.

The account from Gaul provides some insight into what made the situation so dangerous. She described the water as looking “really nice and swimmable,” but with a dangerous undercurrent beneath its surface. Details haven’t emerged related to how Alfaro ended up in the water in the first place, but conditions of this nature can tend to lure people into dangerous water.

While this situation is undoubtedly tragic, some important safety messaging can be gleaned from the incident.

First, as Gaul admitted herself, a key rule when it comes to water safety is to not enter the water for a rescue unless you’re thoroughly prepared to do so. This often leads to a one-victim scenario turning into a multiple-victim scenario, as people struggling in water tend to panic and can drown potential rescuers. Additionally, as was seen in this case, rescuers can quickly fall victim to the same hazards threatening the first person.

A second takeaway is that it’s important to never underestimate how strong moving water is. Even a few inches of fast-flowing water can be enough to knock someone off their feet and unseen hazards beneath the surface can cause head injuries or trap someone under the water quickly.

Third, the use of a life jacket is absolutely crucial when it comes to water safety. Dozens of water deaths tend to occur every year in Colorado and a common theme is that no life jacket is being used. By a rough estimate based on my own reporting of these water deaths over the years, it seems like a lack of a life jacket is a factor in about nine of 10 water deaths. Wearing a life jacket is the first step when it comes to preventing a negative outcome.

And a fourth key takeaway, which is espiecially relevant in this incident, is to always be aware of hazards that may exist downstream. In this case, it was a waterfall that dropped nearly 600 feet, but in the case of Colorado’s rivers, these hazards tend to come in the form of obstacles and strainers – the latter of which is exemplified in a tree that’s fallen across a river, now able to trap people under the water while allowing for a strong flow to pass through. Strainers can be inescapable and are a serious hazard to watch out for. This makes scouting ahead along an intended route important prior to entering any moving water.

This isn’t the first time someone has died after being swept over a waterfall in Yosemite National Park. A similar situation claimed three lives in 2011, when a trio of 20-somethings were swept over 317-foot Vernal Fall after entering swift water about 25 feet ahead of the precipice.

Condolences go out to those impacted by Alfaro’s death.

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