Overview
- Firefighters found Abel Friday-Williams at the bottom of a small waterfall near Bruce Meisner Park around 7 p.m., and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
- Deputies say they are investigating reports that he entered the water to help a friend and whether the children were unsupervised.
- The City of Hickory says the site is part of the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility pump station and is not public park property.
- A local parent described the rocks there as slick with slime and recalled helping during a recent rescue at the same spot.
- The mayor said officials will review potential safety changes at the location as the family mourns and urges others to avoid the area.