Very sad. I feel sorry for the family and friends who tried to 'talk him off the ledge'. They clearly saw the danger. That would be a tough one to live with, wondering if there was more that they could have done to convince him to reconsider his plans.
Short of handcuffing him in his home, the family probably couldn't have prevented this tragedy.
To speculate as to why he tried the stunt? Not sure. But it is clear he underestimated the danger that nature presents.
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Gary