Luke Gabriel Bird, 21, a Naval Academy midshipman and son of renowned author Chad Bird, passed away on Saturday after falling over a waterfall while hiking in Chile. Find out how did Luke Gabriel Bird die, what was the cause of his death, and what happened to him.
Chilean authorities found the body of Luke Gabriel on Sunday morning in a lagoon off the Salto El Agua waterfall. The US Naval Academy announced the tragic news of Bird’s untimely death on Monday.
Bird, who was a Midshipman 2nd Class from Texas, had came to the South American country as part of a study abroad program with Chilean Naval Academy.
“We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Midshipman Luke Bird this weekend,” stated Vice Admiral Sean Buck, the US Naval Academy’s 63rd Superintendent.
How did Luke Gabriel Bird Die in Chile? What happened?
Luke Gabriel Bird, son of Chad Bird, was a 2nd Class Midship student from Text. He was currently studying abroad in Chile at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy in Valparaiso, around 70 miles northwest of Santiago, the national capital.
Bird was hiking and trekking near the Salto El Agua waterfall in Placilla, Chile, with another student. However, the 21-year-old then reportedly tripped and fell from the height on Saturday, July 16, 2022. His body was found the next day by the Chilean emergency personnel in a lagoon.
The US Naval Academy announced the death of Luke Gabriel Bird on Monday. “The body of Luke Gabriel Bird, 21, was found by Chilean authorities Sunday morning in a lagoon off the Salto El Agua waterfall,” their statement revealed.
Luke’s father Chad Bird also posted a statement on Facebook mourning the death of his beloved son. “Luke was everything a father would want in a son, and so much more. He was and still is a gift from God to all of us,” he wrote.
What was the cause of Luke Gabriel Bird’s Death?
Luke Gabriel Bird died after tripping and falling from a mountain while hiking and trekking at the Salto El Agua waterfall in Placilla, Chile. It’s around 7 miles from the Naval Academy where Bird was studying as part of a study abroad program.
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Bird’s body was discovered in a nearby lagoon and sent for autopsy. However, the autopsy report hasn’t been made public. A direct injury to head due to falling from a height is the speculated cause of Bird’s death alongside excessive loss of blood.
The 3-mile hiking trail around the waterfall where Bird and his friend were trekking is rated as a difficult one. The boy loved adventure and it became the reason of his untimely demise.
Bird’s death isn’t the only unfortunate hiking mishap. Recently, another Naval Academy student, Taylor Connors, who was a 24-year-old First Class Midshipman, passed away while on leave in Philadelphia. The tragic incident took place just last month.
Who was Luke Gabriel Bird?
Luke Gabriel Bird was the son of well-known author Chad Bird. He was born in 2001 in New Braunfels, Texas, which is situated around 50 miles south of Austin. Luke attended New Braunfels High School.
New Braunfels, Texas, which is located about 50 miles south of Austin. He was a member of his high school wrestlin team and also captained the squad in his junior and senior years. He also loved cycling and was a very talented young child.
Luke was also active in the student government. He served as the vice president of the National Honor Society and the battalion commander of his high school’s Marine Corps JROTC unit. He was one of the five Marine JROTC cadets nationwide to receive a Legion of Valor Bronze Corps in November 2018.
Luke admitted at the Naval Academy as an ocean engineering major and an active Semper Fi Society member. He enjoyed playing intramural sports.
His friend and fellow Midshipman, Travis Delgado described him as “an unfathomably smart midshipman.” “We attended many courses together, allowing me to get to know him beyond just being company mates. He mentored, and tutored me in our shared courses, spending much of his free time helping me,” he said.
“He greatly exemplified the hard working midshipman who helps anyone at the drop of a hat. He was a great man and will be dearly missed by all those in 20th Company and throughout the brigade,” he added.
Luke Gabriel Bird is Survived by Many Family Members
Luke Gabriel Bird is survived by many family members including his parents and step-parents. The late Midshipman had earned the Marksman Rifle Qualification Badge and Sharpshooter Pistol Qualification Badge as per the official statement shared by the Naval Academy.
Their statement also revealed that he was authorized to wear the National Defense Service Medial. Luke was loved and cheered on by everyone around him. His funeral arrangements are pending for now.
We pay our condolences to the departed soul. May God grant strength to his family and loved ones to go through these tough times. The young man is gone too soon.